Kapo - the title of the impossibility of existence between "we" and "they"

U radu se ispituje način oblikovanja figure kapoa u srpskoj književnosti proučavanjem drame "Nebeski odred" Đorđa Lebovića i Aleksandra Obrenovića i romana "Kapo" Aleksandra Tišme. Analizom psihološke motivacije junaka i sagledavanjem njihovih postupaka dolazi do uočavanja sličnosti u načinu na koji je ličnost bila izmenjena životom u logoru. Proces dehumanizacije, karakterističan za logor, u njihovim slučajevima nije imao potpuni uspeh. Delimična očuvanost identiteta ove junake izdvaja u odnosu na druge pripadnike logora. Ovi junaci bivaju dvostruko izdvojeni od sredine kojoj pripadaju - svojim položajem, ali i doživlјajem sebe u sredini u kojoj su se našli. Na pola puta između pozicije nasilnika i pozicije žrtve, kapo postaje figura čije je postojanje nemoguće kroz pripadanje nekom, već samo u suprotnosti sa svima.The paper examines the way of shaping the figure of the kapo in Serbian literature by interpreting the drama "Heavenly squad" by George Lebović and Aleksandar Obrenović and the novel "Kapo" by Aleksandar Tišma. The analysis of the psychological motivation of the heroes and the observation of their actions leads to the observation of similarities in the way in which their personality was changed by life in the camp. The process of dehumanization, characteristic of the camp, did not achieve complete success in their cases. The partial preservation of the identity of these characters separates them from the other members of the camp. These characters are doubly separated from the environment to which they belong - by their position, but also by their experience of themselves in the environment in which they find themselves. Halfway between the position of the perpetrator and the position of the victim, the kapo becomes a figure whose existence is impossible through belonging to someone, but only in opposition to everyone

Combined effect of GSTM1 gene deletion, GSTT1 gene deletion and MTHFR C677T mutation in male infertility

The aim of the study was to investigate the association between the GSTM1 and GSTT1 gene deletion and MTHFR C677T mutation and male infertility. The study has encompassed 52 infertile and 56 fertile males. Genotype distributions of GSTM1 and GSTT1 gene deletions and the MTHFR C677T mutation did not differ significantly among the analyzed groups, however, a difference in distribution of certain genotype combinations was observed. The obtained results indicate that carriers of double GSTM1/GSTT1 deletion and the MTHFR 677CC genotype are at higher risk of infertility than carriers of any other combination of genotypes (OR 3.5, 95%CI 0.68-18.30)

Biohemijski i antropometrijski monitoring rasta prevremeno rođene dece

Enriched human milk may stimulate gain weight in preterm infants during neonatal period. Aim is biochemical assessment of preterm infants, feed by mother's milk fortificated with special domestic formula preImpamil during the first month of life. 80 preterm infants (45 male and 35 female), up to 36 weeks of gestation. BW less than 2500 g, which started enteral intake in the first three day of life. Total volume intake was in range from 70 ml/kg first day, to 170-200 ml/kg, after 10th day of life. Mother's milk fortification was prepared as 5% mixture solution of preImpamil. The dynamics of biochemical analyses started on the first day of study and was repeated once weekly. We analyzed levels of: total protein, albumin, prealbumin, transferin, urea, Ca ionised, P and alkaline phosphatase using standard biochemical methods. Statistical analyses completed by ANOVA test, one factorial analyses of variance. During monitoring total protein level increased in the second week of life (p lt 0,03), as well as albumin (p lt 0,03). Prealbumin level increased, as well as transferin (p-NS). Initial level of ionised fraction of Ca was significantly lower (p lt 0,03) at the beginning of the study, compared to the rest. Serum level of P increased, as well as level of alkaline phosphatase at the end of first and second week (p lt 0,01). Conclusion is that biochemical parameters as level of protein and albumin are important at the assessment growth in preterm infants on special feeding regimes.Obogaćeno humano mleko može da stimuliše napredovanje u telesnoj masi prevremeno rođene dece za vreme neonatalnog perioda. U radu su praćeni i procenjivani biohemijski parametri iz seruma ovih beba hranjenih majčinim mlekom obogaćenim specijalnom domaćom formulom preImpamil, za vreme prvog meseca života. Kod 80 prevremeno rođenih beba (45 dečaka i 35 devojčica) ispod 36 gestacionih nedelja, TM ispod 2500 g je počet enteralni unos u prva tri dana života. Ukupni volumni unos je bio u rasponu od 70 ml/kg prvog dana, do 170-200 ml/kg posle 10. dana života. Majčino mleko je pripremano kao mešavina sa 5% preImpamil-a. Biohemijski parametri su određivani 1. dana studije i ponavljani jednom nedeljno. Određivani su: totalni proteini, albumini, prealbumin, transferin, ureja, jonizovani kalcijum, fosfor i alkalna fosfataza korišćenjem standardnih biohemijskih metoda. Od statističkih metoda primenili smo ANOVA test jednofaktorske analize varijanse. U praćenom periodu do 4. nedelje nivo proteina i albumina pokazuje najveći skok u 2. nedeljni života (p lt 0,03). Nivoi prealbumina i transferina su viši (p- NS). Inicijalni nivo jonizovanog kalcijuma je signifikantno niži (p lt 0,03) u odnosu na kasniji period. Nivoi serumskog fosfora kao i alkalne fosfataze su značajno viši na kraju prve i druge nedelje (p lt 0,01). Dobijeni rezultati ukazuju da su praćeni biohemijski parametri, a naročito proteini i albumini važni u procesu napredovanja prevremeno rođene dece na specijalnim režimima ishrane što dokazuje i paralelno praćenje antropometrijskih parametara

Inhibition of IRE1 alpha RNase activity reduces NLRP3 inflammasome assembly and processing of pro-IL1 beta

The inflammasome is a multiprotein complex assembled in response to Pathogen Associated Molecular Patterns (PAMPs) and Danger Associated Molecular Patterns (DAMPS). Inflammasome activation occurs through a two-step mechanism, with the first signal facilitating priming of inflammasome components while the second signal triggers complex assembly. Once assembled, the inflammasome recruits and activates pro-caspase-1, which in turn processes pro-interleukin (IL)-18 and pro-IL-1 beta into their bio-active forms. Owing to its key role in the regulation of innate immune responses, the inflammasome has emerged as a therapeutic target for the treatment of inflammatory conditions. In this study we demonstrate that IRE1 alpha, a key component of the Unfolded Protein Response, contributes to assembly of the NLRP3 inflammasome. Blockade of IRE1 alpha RNase signaling lowered NLRP3 inflammasome assembly, caspase-1 activation and pro-IL-1 beta processing. These results underscore both the importance and potential therapeutic relevance of targeting IRE1 alpha signaling in conditions of excessive inflammasome formation

ALPHA-1 Antitrypsin Affects U0126-Induced Cytotoxicity in Colon Cancer Cell Line (HCT116)

Alpha-1-antitrypsin (AAT), an acute phase protein, is the principal circulatory anti-protease. This multifunctional protein is encoded by the SERPINA1 gene. Although AAT was recognised as a potential tumour marker, its role in cancer biology remains unknown. Given that it has been demonstrated that AAT has an anti-apoptotic property against non-malignant cells, we aimed to investigate whether AAT affects apoptosis in a colon cancer cell line (HCT116). The presence of AAT in the HCT116 cell culture antagonized cytotoxicity of blockers of MEK1/2, PI3K/Akt pathways as well as NF-kappa B. The dominantly recovered cell viability was observed in the co-treatment with MEK1/2 inhibitor U0126. In addition, it was revealed that AAT almost completely abolished U0126-induced apoptosis through maintenance of the autophagy process. Our study revealed for the first time that the observed cyto-protection triggered by AAT was accompanied by sustained autophagy which opposed apoptosis. These results may contribute to understanding of the role of AAT in cancer development and evaluation of efficacy of cancer therapy

The integrated stress response

In response to diverse stress stimuli, eukaryotic cells activate a common adaptive pathway, termed the integrated stress response (ISR), to restore cellular homeostasis. The core event in this pathway is the phosphorylation of eukaryotic translation initiation factor 2 alpha (eIF2 alpha) by one of four members of the eIF2 alpha kinase family, which leads to a decrease in global protein synthesis and the induction of selected genes, including the transcription factor ATF4, that together promote cellular recovery. The gene expression program activated by the ISR optimizes the cellular response to stress and is dependent on the cellular context, as well as on the nature and intensity of the stress stimuli. Although the ISR is primarily a pro-survival, homeostatic program, exposure to severe stress can drive signaling toward cell death. Here, we review current understanding of the ISR signaling and how it regulates cell fate under diverse types of stress

DOI:10.2298/ABS1003525D COMBINED EFFECT OF GSTM1 GENE DELETION, GSTT1 GENE DELETION AND MTHFR C677T MUTATION IN MALE INFERTILITY

Abstract- The aim of the study was to investigate the association between the GSTM1 and GSTT1 gene deletion and MTHFR C677T mutation and male infertility. The study has encompassed 52 infertile and 56 fertile males. Genotype distributions of GSTM1 and GSTT1 gene deletions and the MTHFR C677T mutation did not differ significantly among the analyzed groups, however, a difference in distribution of certain genotype combinations was observed. The obtained results indicate that carriers of double GSTM1/GSTT1 deletion and the MTHFR 677CC genotype are at higher risk of infertility than carriers of any other combination of genotypes (OR 3.5, 95%CI 0.68-18.30)

A common haplotype of protamine 1 and 2 genes is associated with higher sperm counts

P gt Sperm chromatin compaction in the sperm head is achieved when histones are replaced by protamines during spermatogenesis. Haploinsufficiency of the protamine 1 (PRM1) or PRM2 gene causes infertility in mice. However, the published data remain inconclusive about a role of PRM1/2 variants in male infertility and their association with semen parameters. By full sequence analysis, we assessed the frequency of sequence variations in PRM1 and PRM2 in three groups of Caucasian patients with idiopathic teratozoospermia and normal (n = 88) or reduced sperm concentration (n = 83) and in men with a high percentage of normal sperm morphology and normal concentrations (n = 77). Two rare (c.54G gt A and c.102G gt T) and one common SNP (c.230A gt C) were identified in PRM1. In PRM2, some rare heterozygous mutations and the two common intronic SNPs 298G gt C and 373C gt A were detected. None of the PRM1/2 variants was associated with teratozoospermia or individually with other semen parameters. However, significant linkage disequilibrium was detected between the common SNPs of PRM1 and PRM2 which formed haplotypes. Analysis of the pooled group (n = 248) revealed that homozygous carriers of the common haplotype ACC had a twofold higher sperm concentration and count than men lacking this haplotype, with sperm counts of heterozygotes for ACC being midway between the homozygotes. This markedly decreased sperm output might either be caused by spermatozoa lacking the ACC haplotype not being viable, or subject to negative selection. In addition, a significant deviation from Hardy-Weinberg-Equilibrium of these SNPs might indicate natural selection in favour of the ACC allele which leads to higher sperm output and therefore better fertility. In conclusion, for the first time we describe an association of a common haplotype formed by PRM1 and PRM2 with sperm output in a large group of men