PAI -1 INHIBITOR AS BIOMARKER OF CARDIORENAL DAMAGE

Plasminogen activator inhibitor 1 (PAI-1), which belongs to the family of serine protease inhibitors  is the primary regulator of plasminogen activity. PAI-1 is synthesized as a single-chain glycopeptide and is deposited in the platelets in a latent form, from which it is released upon their activation. It is spontaneously converted into stable molecules, unless it reacts with proteins from the plasma. As a powerful inhibitor of fibrinolysis, it participates in the pathogenesis of endothelial damage, processes of accelerated atherosclerosis and thromboembolism. All the diseases of the cardiovascular system which are dominated by the processes of fibrosis and thrombosis lead to an increase in PAI-1 in the circulation. In the emergence and development of atherosclerosis, it plays a role not only in the formation of intraluminal thrombus but also in neointimal proliferation. PAI-1 is not normally present in kidney tissue, but its concentration increases significantly in its acute and chronic kidney disease, thanks to the synthesis by the intrarenally localized inflammatory cells. In addition to genetic predisposition, the factors that directly influence the production of PAI-1 are the following: glycemia, insulin and various neurohumoral factors. It is not normally present in the kidney tissue, but its intrarenal concentration increases significantly in acute and chronic kidney diseases. Numerous studies have confirmed the significant role of PAI-1 in the development of diabetes complications. During the last decade there has been a growth of interest in the introduction of non-invasive methods or biomarkers that would assess the degree of fibrosis in the kidney. Many studies have confirmed association between kidney and heart disease. It is not only that these diseases share common risk factors, but many other mechanisms have been suggested. Plasminogen activator inhibitor -1 plays a role in the pathogenesis of endothelial damage, processes of fibrosis and thrombosis, development of diabetes complications and acute and chronic kidney diseases

Molecular and biochemical characterization of pseudomonas putida isolated from bottled uncarbonated mineral drinking water

Pseudomonas putida belongs to a group of opportunistic pathogens that can cause disease in people with weakened or damaged immune systems. Some strains have medical significance, and for most ingestion is not the primary route of infection. If water used by predisposed subjects is contaminated by P. putida, they may become ill. The aim of this work was the biochemical and molecular characterization of strain ST3 of P. putida isolated from non-carbonated bottled drinking water from Jakov Do 4 on Mt. Vlasina. Characterization of P. putida was performed to assess the risk to human health of the indigenous strains present in the water. Biochemical characterization of strains was performed using the manual identification system ID 32 GN (BioMerieux). Identification was obtained using the database identification software ATB System (Bio-Merieux). Molecular characterization was performed by PCR amplification and 16S rDNA "thermal cycling sequencing". Biochemical identification of the strain ST3 was accurate (Id = 99.8%). Comparing the sequences obtained for strain ST3 with NCBI gene bank sequences for 16S rRNA, the highest similarity of our strain (96% identity) with a strain of P. putida, designated as biotype A (gi vertical bar 18076625 vertical bar emb vertical bar AJ308311.1 vertical bar.PPU308311) isolated in New Zealand, was obtained. While comparison with the NCBI collection of all deposited sequences showed that the 16S rRNA gene sequence of strain ST3 has very high homology, it is not identical, indicating indirectly that strain ST-3 is an indigenous strain

Effective partitioning method for computing weighted Moore-Penrose inverse

We introduce a method and an algorithm for computing the weighted Moore-Penrose inverse of multiple-variable polynomial matrix and the related algorithm which is appropriated for sparse polynomial matrices. These methods and algorithms are generalizations of algorithms developed in [M.B. Tasic, P.S. Stanimirovic, M.D. Petkovic, Symbolic computation of weighted Moore-Penrose inverse using partitioning method, Appl. Math. Comput. 189 (2007) 615-640] to multiple-variable rational and polynomial matrices and improvements of these algorithms on sparse matrices. Also, these methods are generalizations of the partitioning method for computing the Moore-Penrose inverse of rational and polynomial matrices introduced in [P.S. Stanimirovic, M.B. Tasic, Partitioning method for rational and polynomial matrices, Appl. Math. Comput. 155 (2004) 137-163; M.D. Petkovic, P.S. Stanimirovic, Symbolic computation of the Moore-Penrose inverse using partitioning method, Internat. J. Comput. Math. 82 (2005) 355-367] to the case of weighted Moore-Penrose inverse. Algorithms are implemented in the symbolic computational package MATHEMATICA

Research correlation vegetation index of corn with speed of movement sensor and elevation of field

This paper presents field scouting of corn in order to determine the content of nitrogen in the green parts of the plants. The aim was to measure the vegetative index using two optical sensors by OptRx AGL Technology. The sensors are positioned at a distance of 3.5 m, individually observing five rows of corn. The speed of movement of the tractor and also elevation of field are varied. The measured vegetative index of the plants is correlated, in first, with the speed of the sensor on the platform. The measured vegetative index of the plants is correlated after that with elevation also. Both of that case are shown that the Normalised Difference Red Edge (NDRE) as represent of vegetative index is not correlated with speed and elevation. This Results represented with Pearson Correlation Coefficient and Spearman's Correlation Coefficient are statistical signatifical. This conclusions are valid only for short rang of speed and elevation research. Average speed was 6,39 km/hr and rang of elevation was 1.6 m (106.8-108.4 m)

Identification and molecular characterization of Chryseobacterium vrystaatense ST1 isolated from oligomineral water of southeast Serbia

The isolation and molecular characterization of bacterial strains isolated from water sources in the Vlasina Mountain in southeast Serbia, confirmed the presence of a new species Chryseobacterium vrystaatense ST1. This Gram- negative species showed an extremely low level of biochemical reactivity in biochemical tests. The gene for 16S rRNA was amplified by PCR using universal primers and sequenced. Comparison of 16S rRNA gene sequence and phenotypic features indicated that the isolate ST belonged to Chryseobacterium vrystaatense. A BLAST search of sequenced 1088 nucleotides of the 16S rRNA gene with all sequences deposited in the NCBI collection showed the highest similarity (98%) with the strain Chryseobacterium vrystaatense sp. nov., designated as strain R-23533. The very high homology of these two strains allowed classification of our strain at the species level, but some differences indicate, and indirectly confirm, that the isolate ST is an authentic representative. On the basis of these results, we could conclude that Chryseobacterium vrystaatense ST was for first time isolated in Serbia, which is particularly important when one bears in mind that there are only three sequences of this species deposited in the NCBI collection

Identification and molecular characterization of Chryseobacterium vrystaatense ST1 isolated from oligomineral water of southeast Serbia

The isolation and molecular characterization of bacterial strains isolated from water sources in the Vlasina Mountain in southeast Serbia, confirmed the presence of a new species Chryseobacterium vrystaatense ST1. This Gram- negative species showed an extremely low level of biochemical reactivity in biochemical tests. The gene for 16S rRNA was amplified by PCR using universal primers and sequenced. Comparison of 16S rRNA gene sequence and phenotypic features indicated that the isolate ST belonged to Chryseobacterium vrystaatense. A BLAST search of sequenced 1088 nucleotides of the 16S rRNA gene with all sequences deposited in the NCBI collection showed the highest similarity (98%) with the strain Chryseobacterium vrystaatense sp. nov., designated as strain R-23533. The very high homology of these two strains allowed classification of our strain at the species level, but some differences indicate, and indirectly confirm, that the isolate ST is an authentic representative. On the basis of these results, we could conclude that Chryseobacterium vrystaatense ST was for first time isolated in Serbia, which is particularly important when one bears in mind that there are only three sequences of this species deposited in the NCBI collection

Analysis of forensic samples of "Ecstasy" tablets seized in Novi Sad during the 2004 year

The paper presents results of the analysis of illicit synthetic drugs in the form of tablets distributed under the name "Ecstasy", seized by the police in the broader area of Novi Sad 2004. A huge number of tablets has been analyzed (n=121), of various colours and with impressed symbols from the total amount of 93 seizures, which totally amounted to 1458 tablets. Regarding the number of seizures ecstasy (3,4-methylendioxy-N-meth-yl-amphetamine - MDMA) is dominant among all, and according to the quantity of seized tablets it is amphetamine (AP), while other amphetamine-type drugs (methamphetamine MA 3,4-methylendioxiamphetamine - MDA, 3,4-methylendioxi-N-ethyl-amphetamine MDEA) have been found in rather small quantities and very rarely. Tablets mostly contain caffeine as an additive. In the analytical procedure, the samples of tablets were subjected to liquid-liquid extraction and afterwards analyzed on the GCD (GC-EI) Hewlett-Packard instrument. The method is fast reliable and reproducible for the analysis of amphetamine, methamphetamine MDA, MDMA, MDEA, as well as various additives in the samples of seized tablets

The clinical significance of intra-amniotic inflammation in preterm births

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to determine the frequency, clinical characteristics and significance of intra-amniotic inflammation in patients with preterm labour. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: The study was conducted as a prospective, randomized study. The patients were divided into 2 groups. The examined group consisted of patients with singleton pregnancies and a diagnosis of preterm labor (PTL). The control group consisted of patients with singleton pregnancies delivered at term. Comparison of numerical and descriptive characteristics of the respondents was conducted between the experimental and control group, as well as among members of the examined group compared to the presence of abnormal colonization of the lower genital tract, the level of IL -6 in the amniotic fluid and placenta and fetal membranes pathological findings. Amniotic fluid samples were taken through a transabdominal amniocentesis, centrifuged, and were frozen at -70 ° C. The concentration of interleukin-6 was measured by a colorimetric high-sensitive ELISA test (R&D Systems) with a sensitivity of < 1pg/ml . Frequency of certain categories of descriptive characteristics between groups were compared by χ2 test or Fisher 's test. Comparison of numerical values of characteristics between the examined and control group was performed by Student's t-test or Mann-Whitney U test when not fulfilled the requirement of normality schedule. Comparison of numerical values between the three groups of subjects performed a one-sided analysis of variance (one- way ANOVA) and Tukey post-hoc test. Probability level of 5 % ( p < 0.05 ) is taken as the limit level of statistical significance. RESULTS: Pregnant women in whom preterm delivery had occurred, more frequently had burdened life history of desease and obstetric history. As well as the abnormal colonization of the lower genital tract is significantly more frequent finding in the examined group, it was also the presence of clinical chorioamnionitis, especially in cases with elevated amniotic fluid levels of IL-6. There is a frequent association of clinical and histological chorioamnionitis in the group of preterm labour. Preterm Premature Rupture of Membranes (PPROM) is significantly more frequent in the examined group as well as the elevated values of uterine artery RI. PPROM was significantly more often present in case of inflammatory changes in the placenta and fetal membranes (chorioamnionitis). IUGR and a high uterine artery RI are more often associated with pathological findings of placental vascular lesions. The majority of deliveries were completed vaginally in both groups, but the perinatal outcome (Ap score) was significantly worse in the group with PTL. AP score of 0-7 was more frequent in the group of preterm deliveries with elevated levels of amniotic fluid IL-6. As well as the onset of neuromorbidity, the overall neonatal morbidity was also more common in examined group. The histopathological findings with the presence of inflammation and vascular lesions were significantly more frequent in the experimental group, especially in cases of abnormal genital tract colonization. Perinatal mortality was significantly higher in the experimental group. Total perinatal mortality of the experimental group was significantly higher in the case of elevated levels of IL- 6 in the amniotic fluid. CONCLUSION: Preterm labor is a complex clinical syndrome, and intrauterine inflammation plays an important role in its etiopathogenesis. In cases of PTL, burdened life history is more frequent finding as well as the obstetric history of events that correlate with the process of inflammation (irregularity of menstrual cycles, infertility, previous miscarriages and premature births, bleeding in pregnancy, PIH and pre-eclampsia). Increased levels of IL-6 in the amniotic fluid are often accompanied with PTL and can be a sensitive biochemical marker of intrauterine inflammation and a good predictor of preterm delivery. Basically, fetal/neonatal inflammatory response syndrome can be considered as a crucial event in the high neuro and overall morbidity of preterm neonates. The high overall perinatal mortality in cases with elevated amniotic fluid IL-6 levels in preterm deliveries suggests an association of intra amniotic infection/inflammation and poor perinatal outcome

Computing generalized inverses using LU factorization of matrix product

An algorithm for computing {2, 3}, {2, 4}, {1, 2, 3}, {1, 2, 4} -inverses and the Moore-Penrose inverse of a given rational matrix A is established. Classes A(2, 3)s and A(2, 4)s are characterized in terms of matrix products (R*A)+R* and T*(AT*)+, where R and T are rational matrices with appropriate dimensions and corresponding rank. The proposed algorithm is based on these general representations and the Cholesky factorization of symmetric positive matrices. The algorithm is implemented in programming languages MATHEMATICA and DELPHI, and illustrated via examples. Numerical results of the algorithm, corresponding to the Moore-Penrose inverse, are compared with corresponding results obtained by several known methods for computing the Moore-Penrose inverse