Ischemic Preconditioning Decreases Laparoscopy Induced Oxidative Stress in the Liver

Experimental studies indicate that oxidative stress during and after laparoscopic surgery may cause liver ischemia-reperfusion injury. The aim of the study was to assess the effect of ischemic preconditioning against liver damage during pneumoperitoneum on oxidative stress. Twenty one New Zealand rabbits were divided into three groups of seven animals. Control group (C) rabbits received anesthesia for 60 min alone; 15 mm Hg intra-abdominal pressure with CO2 for 60 min was used in the pneumoperitoneum group animals (PNP); and 15-min insufflation and 10-min desuflation followed by 60-min pneumoperitoneum were used in the ischemic preconditioning group animals (IP). Venous blood samples were obtained at different time points to measure lipid hydroperoxide, glutathione reductase and total antioxidant status as indicators of increased oxidative stress. Aspartate transaminase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) levels were evaluated as indicators of hepatocellular injury. The Kruskal-Wallis and Mann-Whitney U tests were used on statistical analysis. Elevated intra-abdominal pressure was found to produce significant increase in lipid hydroperoxide at the end of pneumoperitoneum and 30 min after desuflation in comparison with pre-insufflation period, and with both C and IP groups at the same time points. Total antioxidant status level decreased significantly in the PNP group at 24 h of desuflation. At 24h of desuflation, the AST, ALT and LDH levels were significantly increased in the PNP group in comparison with the levels measured before induction of anesthesia, and with the C and IP groups. Study results demonstrated that ischemic preconditioning prevented hepatocyte injury and oxidative stress during CO2 pneumoperitoneum

Genetic and morphological analyses indicate that the Australian endemic scorpion Urodacus yaschenkoi (Scorpiones: Urodacidae) is a species complex

BackgroundAustralian scorpions have received far less attention from researchers than their overseas counterparts. Here we provide the first insight into the molecular variation and evolutionary history of the endemic Australian scorpion Urodacus yaschenkoi. Also known as the inland robust scorpion, it is widely distributed throughout arid zones of the continent and is emerging as a model organism in biomedical research due to the chemical nature of its venom.MethodsWe employed Bayesian Inference (BI) methods for the phylogenetic reconstructions and divergence dating among lineages, using unique haplotype sequences from two mitochondrial loci (COXI, 16S) and one nuclear locus (28S). We also implemented two DNA taxonomy approaches (GMYC and PTP/dPTP) to evaluate the presence of cryptic species. Linear Discriminant Analysis was used to test whether the linear combination of 21 variables (ratios of morphological measurements) can predict individual’s membership to a putative species.ResultsGenetic and morphological data suggest that U. yaschenkoi is a species complex. High statistical support for the monophyly of several divergent lineages was found both at the mitochondrial loci and at a nuclear locus. The extent of mitochondrial divergence between these lineages exceeds estimates of interspecific divergence reported for other scorpion groups. The GMYC model and the PTP/bPTP approach identified major lineages and several sub-lineages as putative species. Ratios of several traits that approximate body shape had a strong predictive power (83–100%) in discriminating two major molecular lineages. A time-calibrated phylogeny dates the early divergence at the onset of continental-wide aridification in late Miocene and Pliocene, with finer-scale phylogeographic patterns emerging during the Pleistocene. This structuring dynamics is congruent with the diversification history of other fauna of the Australian arid zones.DiscussionOur results indicate that the taxonomic status of U. yaschenkoi requires revision, and we provide recommendations for such future efforts. A complex evolutionary history and extensive diversity highlights the importance of conserving U. yaschenkoi populations from different Australian arid zones in order to preserve patterns of endemism and evolutionary potential

Supplementary data for the article: Stojsavljević, A.; Trifković, J.; Rasić-Milutinović, Z.; Jovanović, D.; Bogdanović, G.; Mutić, J.; Manojlović, D. Determination of Toxic and Essential Trace Elements in Serum of Healthy and Hypothyroid Respondents by ICP-MS: A Chemometric Approach for Discrimination of Hypothyroidism. Journal of Trace Elements in Medicine and Biology 2018, 48, 134–140. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jtemb.2018.03.020

Supplementary material for: [https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jtemb.2018.03.020]Related to published version: [http://cherry.chem.bg.ac.rs/handle/123456789/2181]Related to accepted version: [http://cherry.chem.bg.ac.rs/handle/123456789/3074

Inflammation, nutritional status, pufa profile and outcome in hemodialysis patients

Patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD) include a significant percentage of malnourished patients with other risk factors: dyslipoproteinemia, insulin resistance, increased oxidative stress and inflammation that together impair endothelial function. Abnormal polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) patterns are reported in patients with ESRD. The basic mechanisms of these disorders are connected with changes in cell functions at the membrane level. Vascular smooth muscle cell proliferation plays an important role in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis. We have examined the association between atherosclerotic risk factors and nutritional status in hemodialysis (HD) patients. Mortality was followed for up to 18 month. Forty-three HD patients were examined (20 males, 23 females, ages 55±12 years). Nutritional and inflammatory markers, including serum concentrations of C-reactive protein (CRP), tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha), and interleukin 6 (IL-6), were measured. There was significant positive correlation between the plasma albumin level and CRP. Significant correlation was found between plasma the cholesterol level and some PUFA. Increasing inflammation and endothelial dysfunction predict the development of vascular disease. We report on the relationship between inflammatory markers and nutritional parameter, indices of atherosclerosis and other cardiovascular risk factors in patients on hemodialysis

Ishrana bolesnika sa novodijagnostikovanim rakom pluća

Introduction/Objective Although smoking is the main risk factor for lung cancer (LC), studies have shown that diet could also play an important role. The objective of this study was to analyze dietary intake of newly diagnosed LC patients and to compare with sex- and age-matched healthy controls. Methods Sixty-nine non-treated LC patients (50 male, 19 female, aged 46-80 years), and 70 healthy controls (50 male, 20 female, aged 47-76 years) filled out a validated food frequency questionnaire in the presence of a trained nutritionist. Nutrient intake was calculated using the Serbian Food Composition Database. Results Similar energy intake was reported by both groups. However, the controls had significantly higher intake of total fats, saturated, monounsaturated, and n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) and lower intake of carbohydrates and n-6 PUFAs. Patients with LC reported markedly lower intake of milk and dairy products, eggs, seafood, vegetables, and fruits, and higher intake of grains and grain products. Conclusion Patients with LC had significantly different dietary intake of most nutrients compared to healthy participants, suggesting that changes in dietary patterns could contribute to prevention of LC development.Uvod/Cilj Iako je pušenje vodeći faktor rizika za rak pluća (RP), studije pokazuju da i način ishrane igra važnu ulogu. Cilj ove studije je da se analiza ishrana kod bolesnika sa novodijagnostikovanim RP i da se uporedi sa zdravom populacijom istog pola i godina starosti. Metode Šezdeset devet bolesnika sa novootkrivenim RP (50 muškaraca, 19 žena, starosti 46-80 godina) i 70 zdravih ispitanika (50 muškaraca, 20 žena, starosti 47-76 godina) popunilo je u prisustvu lekara upitnik o učestalosti kon- zumiranja namirnica. Nutritivni unos je računat pomoću Srpske baze podataka o sastavu namirnica. Rezultati Obe grupe su imale sličan unos energije, ali je u kontrolnoj grupi zabeležen veći unos masti, zasićenih, mononezasićenih i n-3 polinezasićenih masnih kiselina (PNMK), a niži unos ugljenih hidrata i n-6 PNMK. Grupa bolesnika je imala značajno niži unos mleka i mlečnih proizvoda, jaja, morskih plodova, voća i povrća, a veći unos žitarica i proizvoda od brašna. Zaključak Bolesnici sa RP imali su značajno drugačiji način ishrane od zdravih ispitanika, što sugeriše da promene u načinu ishrane mogu da doprinesu prevenciji nastanka kancera pluća

Effects of Dietary Milled Seed Mixture on Fatty Acid Status and Inflammatory Markers in Patients on Hemodialysis

Background. Plant seeds have gained interest for their health benefits due to their fatty acid content. The objective of this study was to determine the effects of dietary consumption of milled sesame/pumpkin/flax seed mixture on glycemic control, serum lipids, phospholipid fatty acid status, and inflammatory factors in patients on hemodialysis. Methods. Thirty patients with well nutrition status (18 male, 12 female) were enrolled in the study. Participants consumed 30 g of milled sesame/pumpkin/flax (6 g/6 g/18 g, resp.) seeds mixture added to their habitual diet. Results. Total n-6 and n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids and levels of linoleic, dihomo-gamma-linolenic (DGLA), arachidonic, alpha-linolenic (ALA), eicosapentaenoic, docosapentaenoic, and docosahexaenoic (DHA) acid were increased after 12 weeks of supplementation. A significant decrease of the serum triglyceride level (P lt 0.001), glucose, insulin, calculated IR HOMA (P lt 0.05), and inflammatory markers (TNF-alpha, IL-6, and hs-CRP,P lt 0.001) was observed after seed mixture treatment. The serum levels of CRP and TNF-alpha negative correlate with ALA, DHA, and DGLA. Conclusion. Results of this study indicated that dietary milled sesame/pumpkin/flax seed mixture added to a habitual diet lowered triglyceride and CRP, TNF-alpha, IL-6 levels, affect glycemic control and improved fatty acid profile and pruritus symptoms in hemodialysis patients

Supplementary data for the article: Stojsavljević, A.; Trifković, J.; Rasić-Milutinović, Z.; Jovanović, D.; Bogdanović, G.; Mutić, J.; Manojlović, D. Determination of Toxic and Essential Trace Elements in Serum of Healthy and Hypothyroid Respondents by ICP-MS: A Chemometric Approach for Discrimination of Hypothyroidism. Journal of Trace Elements in Medicine and Biology 2018, 48, 134–140. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jtemb.2018.03.020

Supplementary material for: [https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jtemb.2018.03.020]Related to published version: [http://cherry.chem.bg.ac.rs/handle/123456789/2181]Related to accepted version: [http://cherry.chem.bg.ac.rs/handle/123456789/3074

Contrasting patterns of population connectivity between regions in a commercially important mollusc Haliotis rubra: integrating population genetics, genomics and marine LiDAR data

Estimating contemporary genetic structure and population connectivity in marine species is challenging, often compromised by genetic markers that lack adequate sensitivity, and unstructured sampling regimes. We show how these limitations can be overcome via the integration of modern genotyping methods and sampling designs guided by LIDAR and SONAR datasets. Here we explore patterns of gene flow and local genetic structure in a commercially harvested abalone species (Haliotis rubra) from South Eastern Australia, where the viability of fishing stocks is believed to be dictated by recruitment from local sources. Using a panel of microsatellite and genome-wide SNP markers we compare allele frequencies across a replicated hierarchical sampling area guided by bathymetric LIDAR imagery. Results indicate high levels of gene flow and no significant genetic structure within or between benthic reef habitats across 1400 km of coastline. These findings differ to those reported for other regions of the fishery indicating that larval supply is likely to be spatially variable, with implications for management and long-term recovery from stock depletion. The study highlights the utility of suitably designed genetic markers and spatially informed sampling strategies for gaining insights into recruitment patterns in benthic marine species, assisting in conservation planning and sustainable management of fisheries

Structural investigation of mechanically activated ZnO powder

Commercially available ZnO powder was mechanically activated in a planetary ball mill. In order to investigate the specific surface area, pore volume and microstructure of non-activated and mechanically activated ZnO powders the authors performed N-2 physisorption, SEM and TEM. Crystallite size and lattice microstrain were analyzed by X-ray diffraction method. XRD patterns indicate that peak intensities are getting lower and expend with activation time. The reduction in crystallite size and increasing of lattice microstrain with prolonged milling time were determined applying the Rietveld's method. The difference between non-activated and the activated powder has been also observed by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). XPS is used for investigating the chemical bonding of ZnO powder by analyzing the energy of photoelectrons. The lattice vibration spectra were obtained using Raman spectroscopy. In Raman spectra some changes along with atypical resonant scattering were noticed, which were caused by mechanical activation