SYMPTOM SEVERITY IN SCHIZOPHRENIA PATIENTS WITH NPAS3, DYSBINDIN-1 AND/OR TRIOBP PROTEIN PATHOLOGY IN THEIR BLOOD SERUM: A PANSS-BASED FOLLOW UP STUDY

Background: It has been proposed that aggregation of specific proteins in the brain may be a pathological element in schizophrenia and other chronic disorders. Multiple such aggregating proteins have now been implicated through post mortem investigation, including NPAS3 (Neuronal PAS domain protein 3), dysbindin-1 (encoded by the DTNBP1, Dystrobrevin Binding Protein 1, gene) and TRIOBP (Trio-Binding Protein, multiple isoforms). While the presence of protein aggregates in the brain is interesting in terms of understanding pathology, it is impractical as a biomarker. These proteins were therefore investigated recently in blood serum of schizophrenia patients and controls, showing patients to have higher levels of NPAS3 in their serum generally. TRIOBP-1 and dysbindin-1 were also found in an insoluble state, implying aggregation, but did not clearly corresponding to disease state. Subject and methods: We revisit 47 of the originally recruited 50 patients with schizophrenia, all of whom are Croatian and aged between 18 and 72. We assessed their symptom specificity and severity using PANSS (the Positive and Negative Symptoms Scale), comparing those with NPAS3, insoluble dysbindin-1 and/or insoluble TRIOBP-1 in their blood serum to those lacking any such protein dysregulation. Results: The frequency of each individual potential protein pathology among these patients was too low for meaningful statistical analysis, however the 11 patients that displayed one or more of these pathologies (NPAS3, dysbindin-1, TRIOBP-1 and/or TRIOBP- 5/6) showed a subtle but significant increase in total PANSS scores compared to the 36 patients displaying none of the pathologies (p = 0.031), seemingly driven principally by increased scores on the general psychopathology scale. Conclusion: While the numbers of patients involved do not allow firm conclusions to be drawn at this time, this provides the first indication that disturbed proteostasis in blood serum, of proteins that aggregate in the brains of schizophrenia patients, may correlate with the severity of schizophrenia symptoms

Microscopic analysis of gingival inflammatory infiltrate in periodontal disease

Analizirana je lokalizacija, intenzitet i celularni sastav zapaljenskih infiltrata gingive u 20 bolesnika starih od 14 do 67 godina koji su hirurškim putem lečeni od parodontopatije. Rezultati istraživanja pokazuju sledeće karakteristike zapaljenskih infiltrata: po lokalizaciji bilo je 30% površinskih, 85% fokalnih dubokih i 30% difuznih infiltrata; po intenzitetu 15%, blagih, 40% umerenih i 45%; snažnih, dok je po celularnom sastavu nađeno 60% pretežno plazmocitnih, 20% plazmocitno-limfocitnih i 20% mešovitih zapaljenskih infiltrata. U spongioznom sulkusnom epitelu su po pravilu prisutni granulociti i limfociti. Dobijeni rezultati govore da je parodontopatični tip zapaljenja gingive pretežno lokaliziovan u dubokim delovima tkiva, da preovlađuju alterativni procesi u ovom tkivu i da se radi o lokalnoj imunološkoj reakciji.Twenty surgically treated patients (age 14— 67) were subejct of analysis aiming to found localisation, intensity and cellular structure of gingival inflammatory infiltrate. Results of our research showed following characterstics of inflammatory infiltrate: location — 30% superficial, 85%, deep (focal) and 30% diffused infiltrate; intensity — 15% weak, 40% moderate and 45%, strong infiltrate ; structure — 60% mainly plasmocits, 20% plasmocitis and 20% mixed inflammatory infiltrate. In sulcular epithelium were very often found large amounts of granulocits and lymphocits. It can be concluded that periodotal type of gingival inflammation had local immunologic reaction. This process was mainly located in deep parts of gingival tissue and was also predominantly alterative

Size-segregated concentration of heavy metals in an urban aerosol of the Balkans region (Belgrade)

This work focuses on the heavy metals contents of the size-segregated urban aerosol of the continental area of Balkans. The distribution of nano/micron heavy metals in the size-segregated urban aerosol of Belgrade center was studied during the summer–autumn of 2008. The particle size distribution in the size ranges Dp ≤ 0.49 μm, 0.49 ≤ Dp ≤ 0.95 μm, 0.95 ≤ Dp ≤ 1.5 μm, 1.5 ≤ Dp ≤ 3.0 μm, 3.0 ≤ Dp ≤ 7.2 μm and Dp ≥ 7.2 μm was measured. The aerosol samples were submitted to gravimetric and chemical analyses. The obtained mean mass concentration of the PM fractions was in accordance with an urban aerosol distribution. The aerosol mass concentrations were determined by gravimetric measurements (mGM) and, for heavy metals analyzed by ICP/MS

PHYSICAL AND CHEMICAL CHARASTERISTIC OF URBAN AEROSOL OF CENTRAL BALKANS (BELGRADE)

Size-segregated urban aerosol of Belgrade center (44049'14''N, 20027'44''E) was studied during the summer-autumn 2008. The representative location in traffic area Studentski trg was chosen for investigating physical and chemical characteristics of collected particles. Particle size distribution in the size range Dp £ 0.49 µm, 0.49 £ Dp £ 0.95 µm, 0.95 £ Dp £ 1.5 µm, 1.5 £ Dp £ 3.0 µm, 3.0 £ Dp £ 7.2 µm and Dp ³ 7.2 µm were measured. Aerosol samples were submitted to gravimetric SEM analysis. The shape, size and chemical composition of the fine and coarse particles were analyzed. The imaging was carried out by SEM (Nova NanoSEM 230, FEI, USA). The same SEM was also used for the EDX measurements performed. The particles collected on fiber filters for SEM imaging were further on coated with 4 nm Pt layer to improve conductivity of the samples. The morphological and chemical composition suggested that the most abundant particles were carbonaceous soot but also microbes and natural and anthropogenic inorganic mineral materials. The chemical characterization was performed on a semi-quantitative level. The contents of the carbon were up to 70% or higher. In the samples were dominating next others elements: O, Mo, Si, Fe, Ca, Al, K, Mg

Size distributed aerosol mass concentration and chemical composition in Belgrade during summer-autumn 2008

Physical and chemical characterizations of the atmospheric aerosol were carried out in urban area of Belgrade. This work focuses on the size-segregated aerosol chemical composition observed during the summer-autumn 2008th. Aerosol samples were submitted to gravimetric and chemical analyses. Mean random uncertainties associated with determination of Na+ , NH4 +, K+, Mg2+, Ca2+, Cl-, NO3- and SO42- were assessed

Mass distributions and morphological and chemical characterization of urban aerosols in the continental Balkan area (Belgrade)

This work presents characteristics of atmospheric aerosols of urban central Balkans area, using a size-segregated aerosol sampling method, calculation of mass distributions, SEM/EDX characterization, and ICP/MS analysis. Three types of mass distributions were observed: distribution with a pronounced domination of coarse mode, bimodal distribution, and distribution with minimum at 1 μm describing the urban aerosol. SEM/EDX analyses have shown morphological difference and variation in the content of elements in samples. EDX spectra demonstrate that particles generally contain the following elements: Al, Ca, K, Fe, Mg, Ni, K, Si, S. Additionally, the presence of As, Br, Sn, and Zn found in air masses from southeast segment points out the anthropogenic activities most probably from mining activities in southeastern part of Serbia. The ratio Al/Si equivalent to the ratio of desert dust was associated with air masses coming from southeastern and southwestern segments, pointing to influences from North Africa and Middle East desert areas whereas the Al/Si ratio in other samples is significantly lower. In several samples, we found high values of aluminum in the nucleation mode. Samples with low share of crustal elements in the coarse mode are collected when Mediterranean air masses prevailed, while high share in the coarse mode was associated with continental air masses that could be one of the approaches for identification of the aerosol origin. Graphical abstract ᅟ.This work presents characteristics of atmospheric aerosols of urban central Balkans area, using a size-segregated aerosol sampling method, calculation of mass distributions, SEM/EDX characterization, and ICP/MS analysis. Three types of mass distributions were observed: distribution with a pronounced domination of coarse mode, bimodal distribution, and distribution with minimum at 1 mu m describing the urban aerosol. SEM/EDX analyses have shown morphological difference and variation in the content of elements in samples. EDX spectra demonstrate that particles generally contain the following elements: Al, Ca, K, Fe, Mg, Ni, K, Si, S. Additionally, the presence of As, Br, Sn, and Zn found in air masses from southeast segment points out the anthropogenic activities most probably from mining activities in southeastern part of Serbia. The ratio Al/Si equivalent to the ratio of desert dust was associated with air masses coming from southeastern and southwestern segments, pointing to influences from North Africa and Middle East desert areas whereas the Al/Si ratio in other samples is significantly lower. In several samples, we found high values of aluminum in the nucleation mode. Samples with low share of crustal elements in the coarse mode are collected when Mediterranean air masses prevailed, while high share in the coarse mode was associated with continental air masses that could be one of the approaches for identification of the aerosol origin

Recovery of critical metals from dilute leach solutions – Separation of indium from tin and lead

The strategic metal indium is recovered from solutions containing tin and lead that are typical of those obtained from leach solutions of metal component fractions of electronic waste including the leach solutions from indium tin oxide thin film conductive layers that contain only indium and tin. Almost total recovery of the metals can be achieved from nitric, perchloric and acetic acid leach solutions using a novel cylindrical mesh electrode electrolysis cell under appropriate conditions. The optimum separation of indium from tin and lead is achieved by a novel three-stage process from nitric acid media in the presence of SCN− as a complexing agent. Lead is removed from dilute indium-tin-lead solutions in the first stage from 0.1 mol L−1 nitric acid solution by electrodeposition over an 8 h period in the absence of SCN− to give a residual solution containing a maximum of 2 mg L−1 of lead (97% recovery). Tin is removed in the second stage by electrodeposition over an 8 h period from the solution after addition of 0.02 mol L−1 SCN− to give a maximum residual electrolyte tin concentration of 3 mg L−1 (94% recovery). In the third stage indium is recovered at the anode of the cylindrical mesh electrode cell as an oxy-hydroxide phase by increasing the SCN− concentration to 0.1 mol L−1 and carrying out the electrolysis for a period of 24 h to give a residual solution containing 1 mg L−1 of indium (98% recovery).We acknowledge the support of an EPSRC/LINK WMR3 grant (GR/L03217) with Fluid Dynamics International Limited. We wish to thank Aleppo University for a scholarship to NY and Professor. J. D. Donaldson for all his advice and support

Outcomes from elective colorectal cancer surgery during the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic

This study aimed to describe the change in surgical practice and the impact of SARS-CoV-2 on mortality after surgical resection of colorectal cancer during the initial phases of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic