Seasonality of trichinellosis in patients hospitalized in Belgrade, Serbia

A retrospective study of the course and outcome of trichinellosis in a series of 50 patients hospitalized at the Institute for Infectious and Tropical Diseases in Belgrade between 2001 and 2008 was performed. Clinical diagnosis of trichinellosis was based upon the patients' clinical history, symptoms and signs, and eosinophilia. The occurrence of cases showed a strong seasonality (P lt 0.00011. The incubation period ranged between one and 33 days. The mean time between onset of symptoms and admission was nine days. Family outbreaks were the most frequent. Smoked pork products were the dominant source of infection (76 %). Fever was the most frequent clinical manifestation (90 %), followed by myalgia (80 %) and periorbital edema (76 %). 43 patients were examined serologically and 72 % of them had anti-Trichinella antibodies. Eosinophilia and elevated levels of serum CK and LDH were detected in 94, 50 and 56 % of the patients, respectively. All patients responded favorably to treatment with mebendazole or albendazole, but eight developed transient complications. Trichinellosis remains a major public health issue in Serbia

Polyphenol-rich black currant and cornelian cherry juices ameliorate metabolic syndrome induced by a high-fat high-fructose diet in Wistar rats

Diets high in fat and sugar lead to metabolic syndrome (MetS) and related chronic diseases. We investigated the effects of commercially available, cold-pressed polyphenol-rich black currant (BC) and cornelian cherry (CC) juices on the prevention of MetS in Wistar rats induced by a 10-weeks high-fat high-fructose (HFF) diet. Juice consumption, either BC or CC, with a HFF diet resulted in lower serum triglycerides compared to only the HFF consumption. Both juices also mitigated the effects of HFF on the liver, pancreas, and adipose tissue, by preserving liver and pancreas histomorphology and reducing visceral fat and adipocyte size. Furthermore, supplementation with both juices reduced glucagon and up-regulated insulin expression in the pancreas of the rats on the HFF diet, whereas the BC also showed improved glucose regulation. BC juice also reduced the expression of IL-6 and hepatic inflammation compared to the group only on HFF diet. Both juices, especially BC, could be a convenient solution for the prevention of MetS in humans

Association of GSTT1 and GSTM1 gene polymorphisms with susceptibility to autoimmune diseases: A preliminary study

Autoimmune diseases (ADs) are chronic conditions initiated by the loss of immunological tolerance to self-antigens. The aim of this study was to detrmine how polymorphisms of glutathione S-transferases T1 and M1 (GSTT1 and GSTM1) genes influences on the occurrence of two autoimmune diseases: multiple sclerosis (MS) and Hashimoto's thyroditis (HT). A multiplex polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was used to detect the deletions in GSTT1 and GSTM1 genes. Our results showed that patients with ADs had significantly higher (p 0.05). This study suggests the potential role of GSTM1 deletion on ADs susceptibility, but on the other hand this study should be repeated in other patients with the same or similar diagnosis of ADs.Publishe

Evaluation of bean and snap bean populations collected on western part of Fruska gora Mt.

Seed of old varieties is an important source of genetic variability and plants adaptability. Broad genetic diversity is the base for successful breeding processes and adaptations to various environmental conditions and pathogens. In last five to six decades disappearance of old cultivars has been accelerated, mainly due to introduction of new cultivars based on principles of modern genetics into agricultural production. There was a cessation of cultivated plants previously used, and agricultural production and human diet is based on four main crops: wheat, corn, rice and potatoes. Large arable areas have been planted with single genotype of newly created cultivars resulting in great genetic impoverishment, especially, of the most cultivated plants. In that way, certain traits, particularly those connected with high yield, have been favored. Thus, the maintenance and evaluation of old cultivar’s seeds have been recognized as extremely important for all of humanity and its future. The research presented in this paper has been conducted on the territory of southwestern Fruska gora Mt. as a part of the project „Za Vojvodjanskog paora” (2011-2012) financed by Provincial Secretariat for Science and Technological Development, Republic Serbia. Considering the extreme importance of Fruska gora Mt. for Vojvodina Province and the ongoing Master Plan for the mountain’s Sustainable Development, idea of the project was to collect seeds and planting material of crops, vegetables and wild plants and to examine the state of the mountain’s genetic resources. Of all the collected samples during the project, 14 samples of snap beans and 21 samples of beans have been analyzed in this paper. For all the accessions, 1000-seed mass, seed color, seed shape and phaseolin type was determined. Seed color was determined visually. Based on the ratios of: (i) seed length and seed width, and (ii) seed thickness and seed width, collected seed samples were classified into five basic groups of seed shape: round, ellipsoid, cylindrical, semi-flat and kidney-shaped. Seeds of collected bean samples have three, while snap bean seeds have four different shapes, and none of them was round. Seed coats of bean accessions were of five different colors, while in the snap bean group seed coats were of three different colors. Seeds of collected bean and snap bean accessions were predominantly white and cylindrical in shape. Mass of 1000 seeds ranged between 104.9 and 634.96 g. Averaged 1000-seed mass of bean accessions was 379.44g. Snap beans had smaller seed, with 247.98 g of 1000-seed mass in average. T phaseolin type dominated, while S type of phaseolin was present in six bean samples, and in snap bean accessions numbered NK2/12 and NK40/12. T phaseolin type was mostly present in seeds of snap beans that were white, while no significant correlation between seed color and phasolin type was determined in the beans

Association of GSTT1 and GSTM1 gene polymorphisms with susceptibility to autoimmune diseases: A preliminary study

Autoimmune diseases (ADs) are chronic conditions initiated by the loss of immunological tolerance to self-antigens. The aim of this study was to detrmine how polymorphisms of glutathione S-transferases T1 and M1 (GSTT1 and GSTM1) genes influences on the occurrence of two autoimmune diseases: multiple sclerosis (MS) and Hashimoto's thyroditis (HT). A multiplex polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was used to detect the deletions in GSTT1 and GSTM1 genes. Our results showed that patients with ADs had significantly higher (p 0.05). This study suggests the potential role of GSTM1 deletion on ADs susceptibility, but on the other hand this study should be repeated in other patients with the same or similar diagnosis of ADs

The importance of using 'Life-cycle cost analysis' (LCCA): In public procurement of construction objects

Life-cycle cost analysis (LCCA) is a new tool in public procurement used by governments all over the world, with the aim of establishing sustainable public procurement. In this paper, LCCA is analyzed in the light of the European Union efforts to establish a mechanism of sustainable public procurement in order to promote green construction, environmental protection and to establish economic and social sustainability. Special attention is paid to the procurement of construction objects, bearing in mind that the construction industry is the largest polluter of environment but also the industry that employs the largest number of people in the world. This paper also analyzes the advantages of using LCC analysis, difficulties in the process of its implementation and the current legislation in the European Union and the Republic of Serbia

Relacije konkurentnosti i održivosti razvoja

Poslovanje privrednih subjekata na tržištu odvija se u uslovima u kojima u isto vreme postoji veliki broj ponuđača istih ili sličnih proizvoda/usluga. To je razlog zbog kojeg organizacije nastoje da budu različite u odnosu na druge, odnosno da ostvare određenu konkurentsku prednost. U ovom nastojanju da se bude bolji od drugih na tržištu, često se zanemaruje održivi razvoj koji omogućava zadovoljavanje potreba sadašnjih generacija, ali bez ugrožavanja potreba u budućnosti. Ulaganje u konkurentnost organizacije jeste ključ njenog poslovnog uspeha, pri čemu jedan od osnovnih koncepata ekonomike resursa i životne sredine jeste koncept održivosti ili održivog razvoja. Ovaj koncept danas zauzima centralno mesto dugoročne perspektive opstanka i napretka čovečanstva. Mora se naglasiti da neodrživo korišćenje resursa najviše pogađa najsiromašnije, s obzirom da u borbi za razvoj često ne biraju sredstva za napredak pa zanemaruju održivost. Ostvarivanje konkurentske prednosti podrazumeva ostvarivanje poslovne dobiti, ali kompanije moraju da promovišu strategiju društvene odgovornosti kao odgovor na različite ekonomske i društvene pritiske, bez obzira koliko to smanjuje njihovu poslovnu dobit

Transforming growth factor beta 1 (TGF-β1) in COVID-19 patients: relation to platelets and association with the disease outcome

Transforming growth factor beta (TGF-β) is a ubiquitously distributed cytokine known to contribute to the pathogenesis of numerous pathological processes. The aim of this study was to measure serum concentrations of TGF-β1 in severely ill COVID-19 patients and to analyze its relationship with selected hematological and biochemical parameters and with the disease outcome. The study population included 53 COVID-19 patients with severe clinical expression of the disease and 15 control subjects. TGF-β1 was determined in serum samples and supernatants from PHA-stimulated whole blood cultures using ELISA assay. Biochemical and hematological parameters were analyzed using standard accepted methods. Our results showed that serum levels of TGF-β1 in COVID-19 patients and controls correlate with the platelet counts. Also, positive correlations of TGF-β1 with white blood cell and lymphocyte counts, platelet-to-lymphocyte (PLR) ratio, and fibrinogen level were shown, while negative correlations of this cytokine with platelet distribution width (PDW), D-dimer and activated partial thromboplastin time (a-PTT) values in COVID-19 patients were observed. The lower serum values of TGF-β1 were associated with the unfavorable outcome of COVID-19. In conclusion, TGF-β1 levels were strongly associated with platelet counts and unfavorable disease outcome of severely ill COVID-19 patients

Influence of GSTT1 and GSTM1 null genotypes on differentiated thyroid cancer risk and baseline and radioiodine induced cytogenetic damage in peripheral blood lymphocytes of patients

As it is known that genetic polymorphisms of glutathione S-transferases (GST) have been associated with a variety of human diseases including cancer, we have analyzed the impact of GSTT1 and GSTM1 null genotypes on the risk of development of differentiated thyroid cancer (DTC) and cytogenetic changes in peripheral blood lymphocytes of DTC patients before and after radioiodine therapy. The polymorphism of GSTT1 and GSTM1 genes were genotyped using multiplex polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and cytokinesis - block micronucleus (MN) assay to assess cytogenetic changes. GSTT1 and GSTM1 null were predominantly found in patients, but statistical significance was observed only for GSTT1 null. The null genotypes increased risk of development of DTC; GSTT1 null a 4.5 times (p < 0.05), GSTM1 null about 3 times but on the border of statistical significance (p = 0.057), while combination of dual null genotypes almost 7 times (p < 0.05) increased risk. No significant effects of the null genotypes as well as their interactions with potential modifiers of MN (diagnose, age, gender and smoking habits) were observed on both baseline and radioiodine-induced values of MN and cytokinesis block proliferation index (CBPI) in DTC patients. Results suggest that both GSTT1 and GSTM1 null genotypes increased risk for DTC but to a greater extent GSTT1 null. Null genotypes of GSTT1 and GSTM1 did not have potential to influence baseline and radioiodine-induced values of MN and CBPI, so that absence of T1 and M1 isoenzymes did not cause increased mutagen sensitivity of PBLs of DTC patients. [Project of the Serbian Ministry of Education, Science and Technological Development, Grant no. III41010 and Grant no. ON175103