Anthropological Aspect of Death in Dialyzed Patients

The aim of this article is to compare the incidence of thanatophobia in dialysed patients having Balkan endemic nephropathy (BEN) with a control group (N18) members where some of them have chronic renal failure (CRF), but not (BEN).We examined thanatophobia on a sample of 753 dialysed patients with chronic renal failure (CRF) in Bosnia and Herzegovina (B&H) during the period from 1st January 2000 to 31st December 2006. The first group is a cohort consisted of 348 patients with Balkan endemic nephropathy (BEN), and the control group consisted of 405 randomly selected patients with different diagnoses of CRF (N18). The measurement instruments used were: General data list, Eysenck’s Personality Questionnaire (EPQ), Beck’s Anxiety Inventory (BAI), Hamilton’s Depression Rating Scale (HDRS), and Mini- -Mental State Examination (MMSE). Univariante and multivariante statistical analyses were carried out. From the multivariante analysis, the highest correlations with thanatophobia were found in these variables: avoidance of dialysis in BEN group: R=0.985, OR=0.358, CI=0.483–0.728 (95%), and in control group: R=0.550, OR=0.935, CI=0.615–0.830 (95%), age, years on dialysis, education, pervasive fear with statistical significance P =0.001. BEN group differentiates from control group: BAI-total (R=1.110, OR=0.578 (95%), CI=0.770–0.890, P=0.001), HDRS-total (R=0.995, OR=1.290 (95%), CI=1.180–1.920 P =0.001. BEN group have lower scores than the control group in MMSE-total: (R=0.430, OR= 0.023 (95%), CI=0.034–2.850, P =0.001) which represents the organic part of anxiety. Thanatophobia is present in both groups, but it is more frequent in the BEN (11.70%) than in control group (7.50%). We found that thanatophobia occurs before dialysis, and that it is structured as a pervasive fear of death and is associated with endemia, years spent on dialysis, and avoidance of dialysis

The effect of the polyphenols of natural origin and the synthetic potassium channel openers on contractility of the isolated uterus

Prirodni polifenoli su zastupljeni u velikom broju biljnih vrsta. Kao posebni izvori rezveratrola moglo bi se izdvojiti grožđe i vino, kao njegov produkt, a naringenina grejpfrut, njegov sok, hmelj i pivo. Tokom poslednje decenije rezveratrol se našao u žiži naučne i šire javnosti kao supstanca koja usporava starenje, ima antikancerogena, antiinflamatorna, kardioprotektivna svojstva. Kao moguća mesta dejstva pokazan je veliki broj ćelijskih struktura, stoga je rezveratrol označen kao "jedan molekul - mnogo meta". Između ostalog, pokazano je da rezveratrol dovodi do relaksacije glatkih mišića mnogobrojnih krvnih sudova kao i glatkih mišića žučne kese. Kalijumovi kanali su direktno ili indirektno ukljućeni u mehanizam dejstva rezveratrola. Za razliku od njega, naringenin, pripada manje proučavanoj grupi, flavonoidima. Njegov mehanizam inhibicije kontrakcija glatkih mišića uterusa još uvek nije proučen. Pored velikog interesovanja za rezveratrol, njegov uticaj na kontraktilnost glatke muskulature uterusa nije izučavan. Stoga su ciljevi ove studije bili da ispitimo moguće inhibitorno dejstvo rezveratrola i naringenina na nekoliko eksperimentalnih modela negravidnog i gravidnog uterusa i da definišemo ulogu kalijumovih kanala u tim mehanizmima dejstva. Nepoželjna kontraktilnost uterusa je uzrok poremećaja kao što su dismenoreja, kod negravidnog, a prevremeni porođaj, kod gravidnog uterusa. Do danas, ni jedan od ovih problema nije farmakološki rešen. Dismenoreja se uglavnom tretira nesteroidnim antiinflamatornim lekovima, koji nisu uspešni kod svih pacijenata i imaju izrazite neželjene efekte. Dodatno, prevremeni porođaj je uzrok morbiditeta novorođenčati u 50 % slučajeva. Malo je dokaza da lekovi koji se koriste za suzbijanje prevremenih kontrakcija zaista efikasni. Prevremeni porođaj je češći i ozbiljniji problem u grupi pacijenkinja iz progrma in vitro oplodnje. Shodno tome, idealno sredstvo za prevenciju i lečenje neželjene kontraktilnosti uterusa još uvek nije pronađen..

Efekti pinacidila - otvarača kalijumovih kanala na kontrakcije izolovanog negravidnog uterusa pacova izazvane kalijum hloridom

The effects of K+ channel opener, pinacidil on contractions provoked by contraction-stimulating KCl were investigated on isolated uterus of non-pregnant rats in oestrus. Pinacidil produced a more potent inhibition of 20 mM KCl-elicited contractions (pD2 = 6.57 μM) than of 40 or 80mMKCl-elicited contractions (pD2=5.11 and 5.19 μM, respectively). Glibenclamide, a selective blocker of adenosine triphosphate (ATP)-sensitive K+ (KATP) channels, antagonized the pinacidil-induced inhibition of contractions elicited by 20 mM KCl in a competitive manner. However, the pinacidil-induced inhibition of contractions provoked by 40 and 80 mM KCl glibenclamide was unable to prevent them. Pinacidil ability to completely relax the non-pregnant uterus pre-contracted with K+-rich solution suggests that K+ channelindependent mechanism(s) also plays a part in its relaxant effect.U ovom radu su prikazani efekti pinacidila, koji ima osobinu da otvara kalijumove kanale, na kontrakcije izazvane kalijum hloridom na modelu izolovanog negravidnog uterusa ženki pacova tokom estrusa. Pinacidil dovodi do snažnije inhibicije kontrakcija izazvanih sa 20mM KCl (pD2= 6.57 μM) u poređenju sa kontrakcijama izazvanim sa 40 ili 80 mM KCl (pD2 = 5.11 i 5.19 μM). Poznato je da je glibenclamid selektivni blokator adenozin-3-fosfat senzitivnih K+ (KATP) kanala antagonizuje pinacidilom indukovanu kompetitivnu inhibiciju kontrakcija izazvanih pomoću 20 mM KCl-a. Međutim, pinacidilom indukovana inhibicija kontrakcija, izazvanih sa 40 i 80 mM KCl-a nije se mogla prevenirati glibenclamidom. Sposobnost pinacidila da dovede do potpune relaksacije negravidnog uterusa ženki pacova pre kontrakcije izazvane rastvorom kalijuma ukazuje na to da u relaksaciji učestvuje i mehanizam nezavisan od kalijumovih kanala

Uzroci izlučenja prvotelki na farmama sa različitim nivoom proizvodnje

It is general knowledge that management influences results in cattle production to the highest extent, and that the culling of cows is a very good indicator of the success of farm management. A comparison of results of culling for first calving cows on farms with various levels of production in 2011 established differences both for the number of culled animals and the reasons for culling. On farms with higher levels of production, the share of first calving cows in overall culling was 25.9% or 4.5% less than on farms with a lower level of production, i.e. 4.8% less died, and 0.7% first calving cows had to be slaughtered, while 5.6% more first calving cows were culled for economic reasons. At both levels of production, dominant reasons for culling were diseases of the legs and hoofs, which can be linked to the tie stall system (more pronounced on farms with higher production) and metabolic disorders (more dominant on farms with lower production). Reproduction was a more considerable problem on farms with higher milk production, while culling due to selection was more pronounced on farms with lower production. In early lactation of first calving cows, regardless of the level of production, dominant reasons for culling on farms are leg and hoof problems and metabolic disorders (total: 55% i.e. 55.9%). When reasons for culling of first calving cows after 100 days of lactation are investigated, on farms with high production the significance of diseases of legs and hoofs remains almost unchanged, but culling due to reproduction grows to 28%. On farms with lower production, culling due to leg and hoof diseases is considerably reduced after 100 days of lactation, however culling due to selection is tripled (62%).Opšte je poznato da menadžment u najvećoj meri utiče na rezultate u govedarskoj proizvodnji, a izlučenja krava su vrlo kvalitetan pokazatelj uspešnosti upravljanja farmama. Poredeći rezultate izlučenja prvotelki na farmama sa različitim nivoom proizvodnje u toku 2011. god. ustanovljene su razlike i u broju izlučenih grla, ali i u razlozima izlučenja. Na farmama sa višim nivoom proizvodnje učešće prvotelki u ukupnim izlučenjima bilo je 25.9% što je za 4.5% manje nego na farmama sa nižim nivoom proizvodnje, odnosno uginulo je za 4,8% manje i prinudno je zaklano za 0,7% manje prvotelki, a iz ekonomskih razloga izlučeno za 5.6% prvotelki više. Na oba nivoa proizvodnje dominantni razlozi izlučenja su bili oboljenja nogu i papaka što se može dovesti u vezu sa vezanim sistemom držanja (izraženije na farmama sa većom proizvodnjom) i metabolički poremećaji (dominantnije izraženi na farmama sa nižom proizvodnjom). Reprodukcija je bila znatniji problem na farmama sa većom proizvodnjom mleka, odnosno selekcijska izlučenja na farmama sa nižom proizvodnjom. U ranoj laktaciji prvotelki, bez obzira na nivo proizvodnje, na farmama kao razlozi izlučenja dominiraju problemi sa nogama i papcima i metabolički poremečaji (ukupno 55% tj. 55.9%). Kada se posmatraju razlozi izlučenja prvotelki nakon 100 dana laktacije, na farmama sa visokom proizvodnjom značaj obolenja nogu i papaka je gotovo nepromenjen, ali izlučenja usled reprodukcije rastu na 28%. Na farmama sa nižom proizvodnjom, izlučenja usled oboljenja nogu i papaka su znatno smanjena nakon 100 dana laktacije, ali je zato utrostručen broj izlučenih iz selekcijskih razloga (62%)

QUALITY OF WHOLE-PLANT CORN SILAGE ON FAMILY FARMS

Whole-plant corn silage is a starting point for economical and modern animal husbandry. It is a quality green feed replacement and the most important cattle feed. The quality of whole-plant corn silage is of great importance in milk production. Continuous monitoring of silage quality is an important part of feeding programmes. The aim of this study was to use chemical and microbiological analyses to determine the quality of whole-plant corn silage produced on family farms. The analysed samples contained, on average, 66.37% moisture (58.79-72.01%), 33.63% dry matter (27.99-41.21%), 2.07% crude protein (1.07-3.06%), 1.26% crude fat (0.72 -1.84%) and 8.09% crude cellulose (5.72-9.98%). The average pH value, taken as an indicator of the quality of fermentation, was 3.90 (3.50-4.16). Total volatile fatty acid comprised 1.87% (0.67-2.47%) lactic acid, 0.68% acetic acid (12.20-1.52%) and 0.02% (0-0.27%) butyric acid. The average proportions of lactic, acetic and butyric acids in the silage were 72.80% (33.3-88.81%), 26.45% (9.35-66.67%) and 0.75% (0-10.16%). The authors determined silage quality using the Flieg score. The samples from 12 farms were graded as very good, while the silage from the other farms was evaluated as good (4 farms) and satisfactory (2 farms). The analysis of microbiological quality showed that the samples on average contained 405,556 (10,000-3,000,000) of silage bacteria and 7,000 (0-80,000) of mould. Sulphate-reducing Clostridia and Salmonella were not identified. The samples matched quality requirements prescribed by the rulebook

Fenotipska i genetska varijabilnost osobina mlečnosti krava oplemenjene crno bele rase u prve tri cele i standardne laktacije

Improving the genetic capacity for highyielding, highquality and profitable milk production is the priority of countries with cattle production.Due to their marked phenotypic and genetic variability, milk production traits are particularly important in all breeding and improvement programmes. The paper presents the average values and phenotypic variability of major milk production traits examined in the first three complete and standard lactations, as well as the effect of systemic environmental factors on the expression of these traits. The bull-sire, farm, year, calving season and lactation sequence had a highly significant effect on the studiedmilk production parameters (P lt 0.01). The paper also shows the heritability of milk production parameters, calculated with the method of least squares (LS) and the REML method. The coefficients of heritability for milk yield, milk fat content, fat yield and 4% in the standard lactation, calculated with the method of least squares, were 0.109; 0.047; 0.098 and 0.106, respectively. The coefficients of heritability calculated with the REML method were higher for all milk production traits in the standard lactation, being 0.148; 0.086; 0.128, and 0.138, respectively.U zemljama koje se bave govedarskom proizvodnjom primaran značaj se daje unapređenju genetskih kapaciteta za visoku, kvalitetnu i ekonomski isplativu proizvodnju mleka. Osobine mlečnosti zbog izražene fenotipske i genetske varijabilnosti imaju poseban značaj u svim programima selekcije i oplemenjivanja. U radu su prikazane prosečne vrednosti i fenotipska varijabilnost važnijih osobina mlečnosti ispitivanih u prve tri cele i standardne laktacije, kao i uticaj sistematskih faktora okoline na ispoljenost ovih svojstava. Ustanovljen je visoko značajan uticaj bika-oca, farme, godine, sezone teljenja i redosleda laktacije na ispoljenost posmatranih osobina mlečnosti (P lt 0,01). Prikazana je i naslednost posmatranih osobina mlečnosti, ustanovljena primenom metode najmanjih kvadrata (LS) i REML metodom.Heritabiliteti dobijeni primenom metode najmanjih kvadrata za prinos mleka, sadržaj mlečne masti, prinos mlečne masti i 4% MKM u standardnoj laktaciji bili su 0,109; 0,047; 0,098 i 0,106, respektivno. Koeficijenti naslednosti dobijeni REML metodom imali su veće vrednosti za sve osobine mlečnosti u standardnoj laktaciji: 0,148; 0,086; 0,128 i 0,138, po istom redosledu osobina

The potential roles of gossypol as anticancer agent: advances and future directions

Gossypol, a polyphenolic aldehyde derived from cottonseed plants, has seen a transformation in its pharmaceutical application from a male contraceptive to a candidate for cancer therapy. This shift is supported by its recognized antitumor properties, which have prompted its investigation in the treatment of various cancers and related inflammatory conditions. This review synthesizes the current understanding of gossypol as an anticancer agent, focusing on its pharmacological mechanisms, strategies to enhance its clinical efficacy, and the status of ongoing clinical evaluations. The methodological approach to this review involved a systematic search across several scientific databases including the National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI), PubMed/MedLine, Google Scholar, Scopus, and TRIP. Studies were meticulously chosen to cover various aspects of gossypol, from its chemical structure and natural sources to its pharmacokinetics and confirmed anticancer efficacy. Specific MeSH terms and keywords related to gossypol’s antineoplastic applications guided the search strategy. Results from selected pharmacological studies indicate that gossypol inhibits the Bcl-2 family of anti-apoptotic proteins, promoting apoptosis in tumor cells. Clinical trials, particularly phase I and II, reveal gossypol’s promise as an anticancer agent, demonstrating efficacy and manageable toxicity profiles. The review identifies the development of gossypol derivatives and novel carriers as avenues to enhance therapeutic outcomes and mitigate adverse effects. Conclusively, gossypol represents a promising anticancer agent with considerable therapeutic potential. However, further research is needed to refine gossypol-based therapies, explore combination treatments, and verify their effectiveness across cancer types. The ongoing clinical trials continue to support its potential, suggesting a future where gossypol could play a significant role in cancer treatment protocols

Palladium sorption by aminofunctionalized macroporous copolymer from chloride–nitrate solutions

Macroporous poly(glycidyl methacrylate-co-ethylene glycol dimethacrylate) with attached diethylene triamine [PGME-deta] with high amino-group content was used for the investigation of the Pd(II) sorption kinetics from mixed chloride/nitrate aqueous solutions in acidic medium (pH 2.0) at T=298 K. Four kinetic models were employed in order to comprehend the mechanism of Pd(II) sorption. The maximum experimental Pd(II) sorption capacity at initial pH 2.0 and 298 K was 20 mg g-1

Ispitivanje antiaritmijske aktivnosti novosintetisanih derivata propafenona u akonitinskom modelu srčane aritmije kod pacova

By applying of aconitictest in in vivo experiments in rats under deep anesthesia, there was investigated the antiarrhythmic potential of newly synthetized fluorinated derivatives of propafenone. The animals were divided into four experimental groups. The first (aconitine group) was treated with aconitine at a dose of 60 μg/kg, which led to pronounced cardiac rhythm disorder in a short period of time. The appearance of ventricular extrasystole (VES) was taken as a parameter for ascertainment of cardiac rhytm disorder. The remaining three animal groups were taken for testing the potential of propafenone and propafenone fluorinated derivatives to stop the arrhythmia, and which was induced by i.v. aconitine injection (60 μg/kg). Propafenone, as well as 50F derivative, did not convert the disturbed cardiac rhythm (survival of animals was 0%). By applying 5PF derivative in a dose of 6 mg/kg, the animals survived with occasional establishment of sinus rhythm.Primenom akonitinskog testa, u in vivo eksperimentima na pacovima u dubokoj anesteziji, ispitivan je antiaritmijski potencijal novosintetisanih fluoriranih derivata propafenona. Životinje su podeljene u četiri eksperimentalne grupe. Prva grupa (akonitinska grupa) je tretirana akonitinom u dozi od 60 μg/kg t.m., koja dovodi do vidnog poremećaja srčanog ritma u kratkom vremenskom periodu. Kao parameter za registrovanje poremećaja srčanog ritma uzetaje pojava ventrikularne ekstrasistole (VES). Ostale (tri) eksperimentalne grupe činile su životinje na kojima je ispitivan potencijal propafenona i fluoriranih derivata propafenona da zaustave aritmiju indukovanu i.v. injekcijom akonitina (60 μg/kg t.m.). Propafenon, kao i 50F derivat, nisu uspeli da konvertuju poremećen srčani ritam (preživljavanje životinja je 0 %). Prilikom aplikacije 5PF derivata u dozi od 6 mg/kg t.m. životinje su preživele, uz povremeno uspostavljanje sinusnog ritma