Serbia within the European context: An analysis of premature mortality

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Based on the global predictions majority of deaths will be collectively caused by cancer, cardiovascular diseases, and traffic accidents over the coming 25 years. In planning future national health policy actions, inter – regional assessments play an important role. The purpose of the study was to analyze similarities and differences in premature mortality between Serbia, EURO A, EURO B, and EURO C regions in 2000.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Mortality and premature mortality patterns were analysed according to cause of death, by gender and seven age intervals. The study results are presented in relative (%) and absolute terms (age-specific and age-standardized death rates per 100,000 population, and age-standardized rates of years of life lost – YLL per 1,000). Direct standardization of rates was undertaken using the standard population of Europe. The inter-regional comparison was based on a calculation of differences in YLL structures and with a ratio of age-standardized YLL rates per 1,000. A multivariate generalized linear model was used to explore mortality of Serbia and Europe sub-regions with <it>ln </it>age-specific death rates. The dissimilarity was achieved with a p ≤ 0.05.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>According to the mortality pattern, Serbia was similar to EURO B, but with a lower average YLL per death case. YLL patterns indicated similarities between Serbia and EURO A, while SRR YLL had similarities between Serbia and EURO B. Compared to all Europe sub-regions, Serbia had a major excess of premature mortality in neoplasms and diabetes mellitus. Serbia had lost more years of life than EURO A due to cardiovascular, genitourinary diseases, and intentional injuries. Yet, Serbia was not as burdened with communicable diseases and injuries as were EURO B and EURO C.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>With a premature mortality pattern, Serbia is placed in the middle position of the Europe triangle. The main excess of YLL in Serbia was due to cardiovascular, malignant diseases, and diabetes mellitus. The results may be used for assessment of unacceptable social risks resulting from health inequalities. Within intentions to reduce an unfavourable premature mortality gap, it is necessary to reconsider certain local polices and practices as well as financial and human resources incorporated in the prevention of disease and injury burden.</p

Comparison of two Analytical Methods (ELISA and LC-MS/MS) for Determination of Aflatoxin B1 in Corn and Aflatoxin M1 in Milk

AbstractThe aim of this paper is to assess the closeness of agreement between results of ELISA and LC-MS/MS methods for determination of aflatoxin B1 in corn and aflatoxin M1 in milk. Samples of corn (n=100) and milk (n=250) were simultaneously analyzed using ELISA and LC-MS/MS methods, after the severe drought that affected Serbia in summer 2012 resulting in occurrence of aflatoxin B1 in corn and aflatoxin M1 in milk. Regression analysis showed higher level of agreement between aflatoxin B1 samples (R2=0.994), compared to aflatoxin M1 samples (R2=0.920). However, both techniques were satisfactory in meeting the requirements for official control purposes

Nadzor bolesti riba u Srbiji

U Srbiji se vrši program nadzora virusnih i bakterijskih bolesti na osnovu Programa mera zdravstvene zaštite životinja, u skladu sa propisima Evropske Unije, i to: virusne hemoragične septikemije (VHS) i zarazna hematopoezne nekroze (IHN), zarazne nekroze pankreasa (IPN), prolećne viremije šarana (SVC) i renibakterioze (BKD). Cilj programa praćenja i nadzora bolesti riba je dobijanje i održavanje statusa slobode od bolesti, iskornjivanje ili sprečavanje širenja bolesti. Primarna ciljna populacija u programu nadzora su kalifornijska pastrmka i šaran. U Srbiji postoji nacionalno zakonodavstvo kao osnov za nadzora i kontrolu bolesti riba, kao i lista bolesti obaveznih za prijavljivanje. Pored nacionalnog zakonodavstva, prihvaćeni su i principi navedeni u Direktivi 2006/88/EC, koji se odnose na zahteve za kontrolu zdravlje riba u akvakulturi i njihovih proizvoda. Praćenje i nadzor virusnih bolesti vrše se na osnovu postupaka ispitivanja datih u Odluci Komisije 2001/183/EC, a za bakterijske bolesti, koriste se standardne dijagnostičke procedure. Klinički pregledi na ribnjacima vrše se dva puta godišnje i uzimaju se uzorci za virološka i bakteriološka ispitivanja, u svrhu dokumentovanja odsustva bolesti. Postupak ispitivanja, dat u Priručniku OIE za dijagnostiku bolesti riba, osnova je za ispitivanja. Uzorci svih kategorija riba iz 56 šaranskih i 52 pastrmska ribnjaka se godišnje ispituju na prisustvo bolesti. Za virusološka ispitivanja su korišćeni homogenati bubrega, slezine, jetre i škrga. Pulirani parenhimatozni organi i škrge su homogenizovani i centrifugirani na 2500 x g, 20 minuta. Za izolaciju, supernatanti su inokulirani na 24 sata stare kulture EPC i BF-2 ćelijskih linija. Inokulisane kulture su inkubirane na 15 - 20 °C, tokom 7 dana i svakodnevno su posmatrane na pojavu citopatogenog efekta. Identifikacija virusa je vršena PCR, ELISA testom i testom fluorescentnih antitela. Kao materijal za PCR je uziman homogenat organa i prva ili druga pasaža odgovarajuće ćelijske linije. PCR produkti su sekvencirani direktno, pomoću Big Dye Terminator v1.1 Cycle Sequencing Kit (Applied Biosystems, SAD) i ABI PRISM 3100-Avant Genetic Analyzer (Applied Biosystems). Dobijene sekvence su analizirane pomoću Sequencing Analysis Software 5.1 (Applied Biosystems). Na osnovu rezultata nadzora, Srbija se smatra slobodnom od VHS, IHN i KHV. Najveći problem predstavlja zarazna nekroza pankreasa. Renibakterioza je prisutna na određenom broju ribnjaka

Computational Studies on Selected Macrolides Active against Escherichia coli Combined with the NMR Study of Tylosin A in Deuterated Chloroform

Abstract: Although many antibiotics are active against Gram-positive bacteria, fewer also show activity against Gram-negative bacteria. Here, we present a combination of in silico (electron ion-interaction potential, molecular docking, ADMET), NMR, and microbiological investigations of selected macrolides (14-membered, 15-membered, and 16-membered), aiming to discover the pattern of design for macrolides active against Gram-negative bacteria. Although the conforma-tional studies of 14-membered and 15-membered macrolides are abundant in the literature, 16-membered macrolides, and their most prominent representative tylosin A, have received rela-tively little research attention. We therefore report the complete 1H and 13C NMR assignment of tylosin A in deuterated chloroform, as well as its 3D solution structure determined through mo-lecular modelling (conformational search) and 2D ROESY NMR. Additionally, due to the degra-dation of tylosin A in deuterated chloroform, other species were also detected in 1D and 2D NMR spectra. We additionally studied the anti-bacterial activity of tylosin A and B against se-lected Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria

Astroglial Cell-to-Cell Interaction with Autoreactive Immune Cells in Experimental Autoimmune Encephalomyelitis Involves P2X7 Receptor, 3-Integrin, and Connexin-43

In multiple sclerosis (MS), glial cells astrocytes interact with the autoreactive immune cells that attack the central nervous system (CNS), which causes and sustains neuroinflammation. However, little is known about the direct interaction between these cells when they are in close proximity in the inflamed CNS. By using an experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) model of MS, we previously found that in the proximity of autoreactive CNS-infiltrated immune cells (CNS-IICs), astrocytes respond with a rapid calcium increase that is mediated by the autocrine P2X7 receptor (P2X7R) activation. We now reveal that the mechanisms regulating this direct interaction of astrocytes and CNS-IICs involve the coupling between P2X7R, connexin-43, and β3-integrin. We found that P2X7R and astroglial connexin-43 interact and concentrate in the immediate proximity of the CNS-IICs in EAE. P2X7R also interacts with β3-integrin, and the block of astroglial αvβ3-integrin reduces the P2X7R-dependent calcium response of astrocytes upon encountering CNS-IICs. This interaction was dependent on astroglial mitochondrial activity, which regulated the ATP-driven P2X7R activation and facilitated the termination of the astrocytic calcium response evoked by CNS-IICs. By further defining the interactions between the CNS and the immune system, our findings provide a novel perspective toward expanding integrin-targeting therapeutic approaches for MS treatment by controlling the cell–cell interactions between astrocytes and CNS-IICs.casopis je u kategoriji M2

CLIMATE CHANGE: IMPACT ON MYCOTOXINS INCIDENCE AND FOOD SAFETY

Climate change may have an impact on the occurrence of food safety hazards along the entire agri-food chain, from farm to fork. The interactions between environmental factors and food contamination, food safety and foodborne diseases are very complex, dynamic and difficult to predict. Extreme weather conditions such as floods and droughts which have not occurred previously in Serbia, may be supporting factors to contamination of crops by various species of toxigenic fungi and related mycotoxins. Mycotoxins are a group of naturally occurring toxic chemical substances, produced mainly by microscopic filamentous fungal species that commonly grow on a number of crops and that cause adverse health effects when consumed by humans and animals. Recent drought and then flooding confirmed that Serbia is one of the few European countries with very high risk exposure to natural hazards, as well as that mycotoxins are one of the foodborne hazards most susceptible to climate change.Climate change may have an impact on the occurrence of food safety hazards along the entire agri-food chain, from farm to fork. The interactions between environmental factors and food contamination, food safety and foodborne diseases are very complex, dynamic and difficult to predict. Extreme weather conditions such as floods and droughts which have not occurred previously in Serbia, may be supporting factors to contamination of crops by various species of toxigenic fungi and related mycotoxins. Mycotoxins are a group of naturally occurring toxic chemical substances, produced mainly by microscopic filamentous fungal species that commonly grow on a number of crops and that cause adverse health effects when consumed by humans and animals. Recent drought and then flooding confirmed that Serbia is one of the few European countries with very high risk exposure to natural hazards, as well as that mycotoxins are one of the foodborne hazards most susceptible to climate change

ASTROCYTE ACTIVITY IN THE CENTRAL NERVOUS SYSTEM AUTOIMMUNITY

Aims: Multiple sclerosis (MS) is an in ammatory autoimmune disorder of the central nervous system (CNS). Complex interactions between inltrating immune cells (IIC) and resident glial cells of the CNS cause myelin loss and neuronal dysfunction in MS. Here we aim to understand how naïve astrocytes functionally respond to the IIC invasion of the CNS. Methods: We measured calcium activity of naïve astrocytes in culture upon application of IIC. An experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) MS rat model was used to isolate IIC from the spinal cord of animals at the symptomatic stage. Naïve astrocytes were isolated from the spinal cord of WT rats. Results: We show that IIC and not the lymph node immune cells evoke vigorous increase in the astrocyte calcium activity. This IIC-induced calcium response depends on an autocrine activation of the purinergic P2X7 receptors on the naïve astrocytes.We also show that IIC induce ATP release from astrocytes by a mechanism that involves gap junctions and/or hemichannels activation and not the vesicular pathway. Our data indicate that ATP release and subsequent increase in the astrocytic calcium activity mainly depends on the cell-cell contact between naïve astrocytes and IIC. Conclusions: These results show that naïve astrocytes functionally respond to the IIC by augmented release of ATP. An increase in ATP release would alter astrocyte-neuron communication and a ect neuronal function in MS.kategorija M3

In Silico and In Vitro Inhibition of SARS-CoV-2 PLpro with Gramicidin D

Finding an effective drug to prevent or treat COVID-19 is of utmost importance in tcurrent pandemic. Since developing a new treatment takes a significant amount of time, drug repurposing can be an effective option for achieving a rapid response. This study used a combined in silico virtual screening protocol for candidate SARS-CoV-2 PLpro inhibitors. The Drugbank database was searched first, using the Informational Spectrum Method for Small Molecules, followed by molecular docking. Gramicidin D was selected as a peptide drug, showing the best in silico interaction profile with PLpro. After the expression and purification of PLpro, gramicidin D was screened for protease inhibition in vitro and was found to be active against PLpro. The current study’s findings are significant because it is critical to identify COVID-19 therapies that are efficient, affordable, and have a favorable safety profil

Predictors of unfavourable outcome in aneurysmal subarachnoid haemorrhage

Background. Mortality rates following aneurysmal subarachnoid haemorrhage (aSAH) have decreased due to improvements in diagnoses and the management of complications, as well as early obliteration of the aneurysms. Neurogenic pulmonary oedema (NPO) is a clinical syndrome associated with an acute increase in intracranial pressure and a release of catecholamines into the circulation. This study investigated independent predictors of unfavourable outcomes (Glasgow Outcome Scores 1, 2 or 3) in patients with aSAH. Materials and methods. A total of 262 patients with aSAH (162 females) were included in this prospective study. Clinical characteristics were assessed, and electrocardiographic, serum cardiac and inflammatory biomarker measurements were recorded on admission. Outcomes were assessed three months after admission. Univariate and multivariate analyses of these data were used to predict unfavourable outcomes. Results. A total of 156 patients (59.54%) had unfavourable outcomes. Compared to those who had favourable outcomes, patients with unfavourable outcomes were significantly older (54.37 ± 10.56 vs. 49.13 ± 10.77 years; p &lt; 0.001) and had more severe aSAHs (Hunt and Hess grades ≥ 3: 82.7% vs. 39.6%; p &lt; 0.001). Patients with unfavourable outcomes were more likely to have NPO (10.3% vs. 2.8%; p = 0.023), hydrocephalus (34.0% vs. 20.8%; p = 0.02), and aneurysm reruptures (28.2% vs. 3.8%; p &lt; 0.001).Independent predictors of an unfavourable outcome included Hunt and Hess grades ≥ 3 (odds ratio [OR], 4.291; 95% confidence interval [CI], 2.168–8.491; p &lt; 0.001), increased systolic blood pressure on admission (OR, 1.020; 95% CI, 1.002–1.038; p = 0.03), increased heart rate (HR) on admission (OR, 1.024; 95% CI, 1.001–1.048; p = 0.04), and aneurysm rerupture (OR, 4.961; 95% CI, 1.461–16.845; p = 0.01).Conclusions. These findings suggest that aneurysm reruptures, as well as increased blood pressure and HR, are associated with unfavourable outcomes in patients with aSAH