Diagnostic significance of ultrasonographic score in detection of gestational diabetes mellitus

Cilj: Evaluirati dijagnostičku pouzdanost i efikasnost ultrazvučnih markera gestacionog dijabetesa (GDM) i predloženog ultrazvučnog skora u otkrivanju GDM-a. Metode: 132 trudnice sa jednoplodnim trudnoćama gestacione starosti veće od 24. nedelje gestacije i prisutnim najmanje jednim faktorom rizika za GDM, bilo maternalnim ili vezanog za trudnoću, podvrgnute su ultrazvučnom pregledu, a nakon toga oralnom testu opterećenja sa 100 g glukoze (oGTT). Ultrazvučni marker mereni ili determinisani tokom pregleda su: fetalno potkožno masno tkivo, asimetrična makrozomija, obim i širina fetalnog srca, debljina interventrikularnog septuma, nezreli placentalni izgled, intenzivirani fetalni disajni pokreti, polihidramnion i placentalna debljina. Svaki od prisutnih pomenutih markera dobio je jedan poen, a u cilju formiranja ultrazvučnog skora za otkrivanje šećerne bolesti trudnica (UGDS). Rezultati: Svi ultrazvučni markeri GDM-a su pozitivno korelirani sa bolešću, P < 0.0001. Najjači nezavisni prediktor GDMa je nezreli placentalni izgled (RR 49.09 95% CI 7,04-342,28, P < 0.0001). Receiver operator characteristics (ROC) analiza demonstrirala je površinu ispod krive od 96.9%, potvrđujući dobru sposobnost UGDS-a da razlikuje patološke od normalnih vrednosti oGTT-a. Kao granična vrednost UGDS-a predložen je skor jednak ili veći od 4, koji rezultuje sveukupnom tačnošću od 92%, senzitivnošću od 93.2%, specifičnošću od 92%, pozitivnom prediktivnom vrednošću od 85,4% i negativnom prediktivnom vrednošću od 96,4%. Zaključci: Rezultati disertacije sugerišu da je UGDS dobar prediktor GDM-a. UGDS može biti dodatak trenutnim skrining metodama za detekciju GDM-a...Objective: To evaluate diagnostic accuracy and efficiency of ultrasound markers of gestational diabetes (GDM) and propose an ultrasound based scoring system suitable for screening (UGDS). Methods: 132 women with singleton pregnancies and established maternal and/or pregnancy related risk factors for GDM were scanned at/or after 24 weeks gestation followed by administration of a 3 hour 100-gram oral glucose tolerance test (oGTT). A number of ultrasound markers were determined/measured, including fetal adipose subcutaneous tissue, asymmetrical macrosomy, cardiac circumference, cardiac width, and interventricular septum thickness, immature appearance of placenta, intensified breathing movements, polyhydramnios and placental thickness. Each ultrasound GDM marker was assigned one point to create the ultrasound gestational diabetes screening score (UGDS). Results: All ultrasound GDM markers were positively correlated to the disease P < 0.0001. The strongest independent predictor of GDM was an immature appearance of placenta (RR 49.09 95% CI 7,04-342,28, P < 0.0001). Receiver operator characteristics (ROC) showed an area under the curve of 96.9% confirming good ability of UGDS to discriminate between positive and negative oGTT. We propose a UGDS score of 4 providing diagnostic efficiency of 92%, sensitivity 93.2%, specificity 92%, positive predictive value 85,4% and negative predictive value 96,4%. Conclusions: This study suggests that UGDS is a good predictor of GDM. UGDS may be an adjunct to current screening tools for GDM..

Supplementary material for the article: Milošev, M. Z.; Jakovljević, K.; Joksović, M. D.; Stanojković, T.; Matić, I. Z.; Perović, M.; Tešić, V.; Kanazir, S.; Mladenović, M.; Rodić, M. V.; et al. Mannich Bases of 1,2,4-Triazole3-Thione Containing Adamantane Moiety: Synthesis, Preliminary Anticancer Evaluation, and Molecular Modeling Studies. Chemical Biology and Drug Design 2017, 89 (6), 943–952. https://doi.org/10.1111/cbdd.12920

Supporting Information: [https://doi.org/10.1111/cbdd.12920]Related to published version: [http://cherry.chem.bg.ac.rs/handle/123456789/2482]Related to accepted version: [http://cherry.chem.bg.ac.rs/handle/123456789/3221

Supplementary material for the article: Milošev, M. Z.; Jakovljević, K.; Joksović, M. D.; Stanojković, T.; Matić, I. Z.; Perović, M.; Tešić, V.; Kanazir, S.; Mladenović, M.; Rodić, M. V.; et al. Mannich Bases of 1,2,4-Triazole3-Thione Containing Adamantane Moiety: Synthesis, Preliminary Anticancer Evaluation, and Molecular Modeling Studies. Chemical Biology and Drug Design 2017, 89 (6), 943–952. https://doi.org/10.1111/cbdd.12920

Supporting Information: [https://doi.org/10.1111/cbdd.12920]Related to published version: [http://cherry.chem.bg.ac.rs/handle/123456789/2482]Related to accepted version: [http://cherry.chem.bg.ac.rs/handle/123456789/3221

Supplementary data for the article: Stojsavljević, A.; Rovčanin, M.; Miković, Ž.; Perović, M.; Jeremić, A.; Zečević, N.; Manojlović, D. Analysis of Essential, Toxic, Rare Earth, and Noble Elements in Maternal and Umbilical Cord Blood. Environ Sci Pollut Res 2022. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-021-18190-y.

Supplementary material for: [https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-021-18190-y]Related to published version: [https://cherry.chem.bg.ac.rs/handle/123456789/4879

Supplementary data for the article: Marković, V.; Debeljak, N.; Stanojković, T.; Kolundžija, B.; Sladić, D.; Vujčić, M.; Janović, B.; Tanić, N.; Perović, M.; Tešić, V.; et al. Anthraquinone-Chalcone Hybrids: Synthesis, Preliminary Antiproliferative Evaluation and DNA-Interaction Studies. European Journal of Medicinal Chemistry 2015, 89, 401–410. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ejmech.2014.10.055

Supplementary material for: [https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ejmech.2014.10.055]Related to published version: [http://cherry.chem.bg.ac.rs/handle/123456789/1903

Crop pests and predators exhibit inconsistent responses to surrounding landscape composition

The idea that noncrop habitat enhances pest control and represents a win–win opportunity to conserve biodiversity and bolster yields has emerged as an agroecological paradigm. However, while noncrop habitat in landscapes surrounding farms sometimes benefits pest predators, natural enemy responses remain heterogeneous across studies and effects on pests are inconclusive. The observed heterogeneity in species responses to noncrop habitat may be biological in origin or could result from variation in how habitat and biocontrol are measured. Here, we use a pest-control database encompassing 132 studies and 6,759 sites worldwide to model natural enemy and pest abundances, predation rates, and crop damage as a function of landscape composition. Our results showed that although landscape composition explained significant variation within studies, pest and enemy abundances, predation rates, crop damage, and yields each exhibited different responses across studies, sometimes increasing and sometimes decreasing in landscapes with more noncrop habitat but overall showing no consistent trend. Thus, models that used landscape-composition variables to predict pest-control dynamics demonstrated little potential to explain variation across studies, though prediction did improve when comparing studies with similar crop and landscape features. Overall, our work shows that surrounding noncrop habitat does not consistently improve pest management, meaning habitat conservation may bolster production in some systems and depress yields in others. Future efforts to develop tools that inform farmers when habitat conservation truly represents a win–win would benefit from increased understanding of how landscape effects are modulated by local farm management and the biology of pests and their enemies

Levels of non-essential trace metals and their impact on placental health: a review

According to recent research, even low levels of environmental chemicals, particularly heavy metals, can considerably disrupt placental homeostasis. This review aims to explore the profile of non-essential trace metals in placental tissues across the globe and to specify trace metal(s) that can be candidates for impaired placental health. Accordingly, we conducted an extensive survey on relevant databases of peer-reviewed papers published in the last two decades. Among a considerable number of non-essential trace metals, arsenic (As), lead (Pb), cadmium (Cd), and mercury (Hg) were identified as the most detrimental to placental health. Comparative analysis showed remarkable differences in placental levels of these trace metals worldwide. Based on current data reported across the globe, a median (min–max) range from 0.55 to 15 ng/g for placental As levels could be deemed safe. The placental Cd and Pb levels were markedly higher in smokers than in non-smokers. Occupationally exposed pregnant women had several orders of magnitude higher Cd, Pb, and Hg levels in placental tissues than non-occupationally exposed women. Also, we concluded that even low-level exposure to As, Cd, Pb, and Hg could be deleterious to proper fetal development. This review implies the need to reduce exposure to non-essential trace metals to preserve placental health and prevent numerous poor pregnancy outcomes. Overall, the information presented is expected to help plan future fundamental and applied investigations on the placental toxicity of As, Cd, Pb, and Hg. © 2022, The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer-Verlag GmbH Germany, part of Springer Nature

Human biomonitoring of essential, nonessential, rare earth, and noble elements in placental tissues

Exposure to certain metals has been recognized as a risk factor for numerous complications in vulnerable population groups, particularly pregnant women. This investigation evaluated the levels of essential (Cr, Mn, Co, Cu, Zn, Se, Mo) and nonessential trace metals with recognized toxicity (Be, Al, Ti, V, Ni, Ga, As, Rb, Sr, Cd, Sb, Ba, Tl, Hg, Pb, Bi, Th, U), together with rare earth elements (Sc, Y, La, Ce, Pr, Nd, Sm, Eu, Gd, Tb, Dy, Ho, Er, Yb, Lu), and noble metals (Ru, Rh, Pd, Re, Os, Ir, Pt, Au, Ag) in the placental tissues of healthy pregnant women (n = 105). The selection of participants was undertaken with special reference to specific confounding factors that could influence the trace element profiles. Among trace elements, Zn was the most abundant and Lu was the least abundant. Cd and Os placental levels show a tendency to increase with women's age. Compared with literature data, high levels of Ni were found. This is the first study that provides the composition levels of essential and toxic trace elements, rare earth elements, and noble metals in human placental tissues. Also, for the first time, normal (reference) ranges for 50 (ultra)trace elements in placental tissues are proposed. Reference ranges are especially important in biomonitoring studies, which nowadays give increasing importance to the analysis of solid tissues instead of body fluids. Overall, the information provided in this study can serve as a starting point for further clinical trials and/or prediction of potential risks to pregnancy.Supplementary material: [https://cherry.chem.bg.ac.rs/handle/123456789/4806

Evaluation of Maternal Exposure to Multiple Trace Elements and Their Detection in Umbilical Cord Blood

Due to the recognized harmful effects of some trace elements on fetal development after long-term exposures, it is first important to address their basic/physiological levels before monitoring toxicological effects and clinical outcomes on prenatal and postnatal health. This research aimed to define, for the first time, reference values for multiple (ultra) trace elements in umbilical cord blood (UCB) plasma samples of a notable number of healthy pregnant women (n = 125). All samples were collected during 2020–2021 and all participants were from Belgrade and two regions (Šumadija and Podunavlje). Following trace elements were enrolled in this study: essential (Mn, Co, Cu, Zn, Se, Mo), toxic (Be, Al, Ni, As, Rb, Sr, Ag, Cd, Sb, Ba, Tl, Pb, Th, U), rare earth (La, Ce, Pr, Nd, Sm, Eu, Gd, Dy, Ho, Er, Tm), and noble metals (Ru, Rh, Pd, Re, Ir, Os, Pt). UCB plasma samples were diluted with suitable solvents and analyzed by inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry. The analytical technique used was validated by the standard addition method and using certified reference materials. Zn was found in the highest amount and Tm in the least amount. Be, Co, Ag, Sb, La, and Ce exhibited statistically significant differences in the four age groups (20 to 41 years), whereas Ag and Ce showed a tendency to increase with age. Furthermore, our participants had notably higher As, Ni, and Co, levels and lower Zn levels compared to other populations. This is the first study that, in addition to analyzing essential and toxic trace elements, also provided an analysis of noble and rare earth elements in UCB plasma samples. Presented results can be used as a starting point or database for further studies, in terms of predicting the pregnancy outcome and postnatal development

Supplementary material for: Stojsavljević, A.; Zečević, N.; Mihailović, M.; Jagodić, J.; Đurđić, S.; Perović, M.; Manojlović, D. D. Elemental Profiling of Human Semen with Confirmed Normozoospermia: Baseline Levels for 44 Elements. Journal of Trace Elements in Medicine and Biology 2022, 74, 127081. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jtemb.2022.127081.

Background: As a consequence of the progressive decline in human semen quality in recent decades, modern epidemiological investigations have identified several trace elements that could be responsible for this phenomenon. However, their levels in semen have not been clearly elucidated, particularly for elements present in ultra-trace levels. Methods: We aimed to determine the levels of 39 (ultra)trace elements and 5 macroelements in human semen samples with confirmed normozoospermia using ICP-based techniques. The research was amplified by analyzing blood samples from the same participants. Results: Among the analyzed (ultra)trace elements in semen samples, Zn is the most and Tm is the least prominent. Zn levels in semen are so high that Zn should be considered as a macroelement in this matrix. The levels of Zn, Rh, Sm, Re, Ir, Tl, Na, and Ca were significantly higher in semen, while the levels of Cu, As, Rb, Gd, Sb, Tb, Tm, Lu, K, and Fe were significantly higher in blood. Correlation analysis of the levels of 44 individual elements in paired semen and blood samples revealed positive correlations between 43 of the elements, particularly for Tl and Pt. An exception was the negative correlation for Cu, which showed that its high level in semen is associated with a low level in blood and contrariwise. Conclusion: The reported data can be used as baseline levels/reference values for 44 elements in human semen. Furthermore, the findings of this study could be relevant for further consideration of male infertility.Supplementary material for: [https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jtemb.2022.127081]Related to published version: [https://cherry.chem.bg.ac.rs/handle/123456789/5628