C-reaktive protein determined by highsensitivitz method and biomarkers in prediction of development and progression of peripheral arterial disease in patients with type 2 diabetes

Uvod: Predhodne studije su ukazale na visoko senzitivni C - reaktivni protein (hs-CRP) kao faktor rizika za perifernu arterijsku bolest (PAB) u dijabetesu. Stidja je imala za cilj da se proceni mogući prediktivni značaj hs-CRP i lipidnih biomarkera (holesterol, LDL-holesterol, HDL-holesterol, trigliceridi, Apo A1, Apo B i Lp (a)) u razvoju i progresiji PAD u pacijenata sa tipom 2 dijabetesa (T2D). Metode: U studiju je uključeno 80 pacijenata sa prethodnom dijagnozom T2D, starosti 45-70 godina, podeljenih u grupu A (T2D pacijenti sa PAB; n=38) i grupu B (T2D pacijenti bez PAB; n=42). Posle 5 godina, pacijenti su podeljeni u podgrupe u zavisnosti od prisustva nove pojave PAB ili progresije prethodno postojeće PAB. Pedo-brahijalni indeks (PBI) je korišćen za dijagnozu PAB a hs-CRP je odredjen nefelometrijski Rezultati: Našli smo značajno viši nivo hs-CRP u grupi A u odnosu na grupu B, ali samo na početku studije. U okviru grupe A, pacijenti sa kasnijom progresijom PAD (podgrupa A1) imali su najviši nivo hs-CRP na početku, mada bez značajne razlike u odnosu na podgrupu A2. Suprotno, nivo hs-CRP bio je značajno viši u podgrupi B1 u poredjenju sa subgrupom B2 i na početku i na kraju ispitivanja. Od svih ispitivanih metaboličkih parametara-lipidnih biomarkera, hs-CRP je bio jedini nezavisni prediktor progresije PAD (OR=0.456, 95%CI=0.267-0.7815, p=0.004). Nivo hs-CRP od 2.5 mg/L je utvrdjen kao “cut-off” vrednost (specifičnost 75% i senzitivnost 73.3%) sa relativnim rizikom za PAD od 2.93 (95% CI 1.351-6.3629). Zaključak: Naša studija je pokazala da se hs-CRP može koristiti kao pouzdan prediktor progresije PAB u pacijenata sa T2D.Background: Previous studies indicated high sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) as a risk factor for the peripheral arterial disease (PAD) in diabetes. This study aimed to evaluate possible predictive significance of hs-CRP and lipid biomarkers (total cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol, HDL-cholesterol, triglycerides, Apo A1 and Apo B, Lp (a)) for development and progression of PAD in patients with type 2 diabetes (T2D). Methods: The study included 80 patients previously diagnosed with T2D, aged 45-70 years, divided into group A (T2D patients with PAD; n=38) and group B (T2D patients without PAD; n=42). After five years, all the patients were reexamined and divided into subgroups depending on de novo development of PAD or progression of previously diagnosed PAD. Ankle-Brachial Index (ABI) measurement was used for PAD diagnosis and hs-CRP was determined by nephelometry. Results: We found significantly higher hs-CRP level in group A compared to group B, but only at baseline. Among patients in group A, those with later progression of PAD (subgroups A1) had highest level of hs-CRP at baseline, although not significantly different compared to subgroup A2. In contrast, hs-CRP level was significantly higher in subgroup B1 in comparison to subgroup B2 at both first and second exam. Of all investigated metabolic parameters-lipid biomarkers, hs- CRP was the only independent predictor of progression of PAD (OR=0.456, 95%CI=0.267- 0.7815, p=0.004). The cut-off point for hs-CRP was 2.5 mg/L (specificity 75% and sensitivity 73.3%) with the relative risk for PAD of 2.93 (95% CI 1.351-6.3629). Conclusions: Our study implies that hs-CRP can be used as a reliable predictor for progression of PAD in patients with T2D

Analyzing data from memory tasks - comparison of ANOVA, logistic regression and mixed logit model

We compared three statistical analyses over binary outcomes. As applying ANOVA over proportions violates at least two classical assumptions of linear models, two alternatives are described: the binary logistic regression and the mixed logit model. Firstly, we compared the effects obtained by the three methods over the same data from a previous memory research. All three methods gave similar results: the effects of the tasks and the number of sensory modalities were observed, but not their interaction. Secondly, by using the bootstrap estimates of the parameters, the efficacy of each method was explored. As predicted, the bootstrap parameter estimates of the ANOVA had large bias and standard errors, and consequently wide confidence intervals. On the other hand, the bootstrap parameter estimates of the binary logistic regression and the mixed logit models were similar - both had low bias and standard errors and narrow confidence intervals

Energy refurbishment of public buildings under cultural heritage protection in Serbia Constraints and Potentials

By harmonizing national legislation to European codes concerning energy efficiency in building sector, Serbia took commitment to improve energy efficiency of national government buildings. Following the Directive 2012/27/EU principles, refurbishment of this part of building stock is recognized as a leading example in long-therm process of applying energy efficiency regulations at national level. Initial steps in implementation of adopted energy efficiency principles were made in Serbia during 2015, when first energy certificates for three most valuable buildings of national authorities (Government building, The National Assembly, and the Palace of Serbia) were issued. This paper will present results obtained during energy-assessment and energy-certification process of this particular buildings, showing at the same time their specificity, that pretty much traces possible category and range of proposed energy refurbishment scenarios

Od crvenih do plavih beretкi – angažovanje кinesкih vojnih snaga u mirovnim misijama Ujedinjenih nacija

This paper shall explore the reasons that triggered China to boost its security and economic influence within the United Nations Peacekeeping Operations (UNPKO) as a tool for embracing international challenges. By doing so, China is not just sharing the burden of providing international stability and achieving the UN Sustainable Development Goals, but exerting its influence in the process. Analysing the proposed subject, it will be demonstrated that China faces numerous obstacles whilst trying to insert the “Chinese characteristics” within the geopolitical order, geo-economics distribution of wealth and international security architecture. Instead of being perceived as a responsible stakeholder, China`s ambitious initiatives can, additionally, stir the China Threat Theory in the international community. This paper shall be consisted of two parts. The first part will tackle China`s growing footprint within the UNPKO from the end of the Cold War onward. The second part will explore the reasons that triggered China to swift its role within the UNPKO. Both global and domestic reasons will be analysed tooRad se bavi razlozima jačanja kineskog uticaja u Mirovnim misijama Ujedinjenih nacija. NR Кina se sve više angažuje u obezbjeđivanju međunarodne stabilnosti i postizanju UN ciljeva za održivi razvoj, paralelno jačajući i svoj uticaj u međunarodnim odnosima. U radu smo predstavili izazove sa kojima se Кina suočava u nastojanju da uvede „kineske karakteristike“ u geopolitički poredak, geoekonomsku raspodjelu dobara i međunarodnu bezbjedonosnu arhitekturu. Percepcija Кine u međunarodnoj zajednici je sve lošija i umjesto da se Кina posmatra kao odgovorni akter, njene akcije dodatno nameću temu „Кine kao prijetnje“. U prvom dijelu rada smo obradili ulogu i aktivnosti Кine u okviru Mirovnih misija Ujedinjenih nacija od kraja Hladnog rata do danas. Drugi dio rada analizira razloge promjene uloge kineske politike prema UN-u i konkrento Mirovnim snagama Ujedinjenih nacija. U radu su analizirani i uzeti u obzir i globalni razlozi kao i domaći koji su uticali na promjenu kineske politike i veće angažovanje u okviru UN misija. U zaključku navodimo da i pored izazova, sumnji i nedorečenosti vezanih za ovo pitanje, svjedočimo „novoj i globalnoj“ Кini koja je već zauzela centralnu ulogu na međunarodnoj sceni i da možemo računati na Кinu i njen doprinos u očuvanju globalnog mir

ASSESSMENT OF PREOPERATIVE RISK IN CHILDREN

Prijeoperacijska procjena zdravstvenog stanja bolesnika neizostavni je dio planiranja svakog zahvata pri kojemu se bolesnik podvrgava anesteziji. Klasifi kacija fizikalnog statusa bolesnika Američkog društva anesteziologa (engl. The American Society of Anesthesiologists – ASA) danas se rutinski rabi za procjenu rizika od anestezije i perioperacijske smrtnosti bolesnika neovisno o dobi. Međutim, kao što se anestezija u djece razlikuje od anestezije u odraslih, nužno je i u prijeanestezijskoj procjeni rizika uzeti u obzir osobitosti dječje dobi. Radi kvalitetne procjene rizika od anestezije razvili su se novi sustavi procjene rizika i specifične smjernice prijeanestezijske obrade u djece. Ukratko su prikazana dva nova alata za procjenu prijeanestezijskog rizika u djece: bodovni sustav PRAm (Pediatric Risk Assessment score) i sustav NARCO-SS (engl. neurological, airway, respiratory, cardiovascular, other-surgical severity). Cilj je rada kritički osvrt na postojeće smjernice procjene prijeanestezijskog rizika u djece. Prijeoperacijskom procjenom rizika i pripremom za anesteziju prilagođenom dječjoj dobi mogu se unaprijediti sigurnost i uspjeh anesteziološkog postupka u djece.The preoperative assessment of the patient’s health status is an indispensable part of planning any procedure where the patient is undergoing anesthesia. The American Society of Anesthesiologists’ Physical Status (ASA PS) classification is routinely used today to assess the risks of anesthesia and perioperative mortality of patients undergoing surgery regardless of age. However, as anesthesia in children differs from anesthesia in adults, it is necessary to take into account the age-specific features of preoperative risk assessment in children.For better estimation of risks of anesthesia, new risk assessment systems and specific pre-anesthetic treatment guidelines for children have been developed. Two novel tools for assessing the preanesthetic risk in children are briefly presented: Pediatric Risk Assessment (PRAm) score and “NARCO-SS” (neurological, airway, respiratory, cardiovascular, other – surgical severity) score. The aim of this paper is critical review of existing guidelines in assessing the preoperative risk in children. The preoperative risk assessment and the preparation for anesthesia adapted to the child’s age can improve the safety and success of the anesthetic procedure

Environmental Governance as Opportunity for China and EU Cooperation

Climate changes, i.e. air pollution, water scarcity and soil contamination remain threats and represent great challenge to Chinese efforts in making its development sustainable. Since the very first developmental goals during the first decades of its policy of reforms and opening did not follow high ecological standards, China became the world’s top emitter producing more than a quarter of the world’s annual greenhouse emission. However, climate changes are not only Chinese issues, their consequences are global in character. Thus, fighting climate changes requires intercontinental and international cooperation. China pledged to cut emissions under the Paris Agreement and is making great efforts by making environmental issue the priority in the further developmental goals. This paper analyses the Sino-EU relations and cooperation in creating “Green civilization” and environmental global governance. The first part of the paper tackles the development of the ecological state of mind in China, particularly because China announced that it would become a climate neutral country. In the same part of the paper, we are examining the development of the EU approach in becoming the climate neutral space. The second part of the paper is focused on China`s international cooperation in fighting climate changes, particularly the Sino-EU cooperation on this particular issue, that is, making “Green civilization”. We will examine whether this cooperation is opening new space for improving their mutual cooperation and creating the harmonious atmosphere for a win-win cooperation of further antagonizing currently disturbed relation