Macrophage polarization and infectious diseases

Summary. Macrophages are a heterogeneous cell population present in most mammalian tissues with a wide range of functions. They are an essential component of optimal tissue homeostasis and an essential first line of defense against pathogens. Activated macrophages are typically divided into two phenotypes, M1 macrophages and M2 macrophages, which are influenced by microorganisms, the tissue microenvironment, and cytokine signals from physiological conditions to infections. The management of macrophage polarity is crucial for the prevention and treatment of infections and inflammatory disorders. In this review, we will evaluate the current state of knowledge regarding macrophage polarity and discuss how pathogens exploit macrophage phenotypes for efficient replication and disease progression

Impact of food processing and interactions with other food components on the structure and function of food allergens

β-laktoglobulin (BLG) je glavni protein surutke mleka preživara, ali je prisutan i u mleku mnogih drugih vrsta sisara. Poznato je da BLG poseduje niz funkcionalnih osobina (npr. geliranje, stvaranje pene, emulzifikacija) važnih za industriju hrane kao i veliku nutritivnu vrednost zbog visokog sadržaja esencijalnih aminokiselina. Iz tog razloga se često koristi kao aditiv u prehrambenoj industriji. Međutim, BLG je jedan od glavnih alergena mleka; 45% pacijenata alergičnih na mleko reaguje na BLG. Stoga se sve više nameće potreba za razvijanje metoda za modifikaciju BLG-a u cilju smanjenja alergenosti i poboljšanja funkcionalnih osobina. Takođe, sva istraživanja u oblasti hrane ne smeju isključiti prisustvo drugih komponenti u matriksu hrane. Predmet rada ove teze je bio ispitivanje uticaja interakcija komponenti matriksa hrane (protein-polifenolna jedinjenja) i odabranih tehnika za obradu hrane (ultrazvuk i enzimsko umrežavanje) na strukturu i funkciju BLG-a. U okviru rada su okarakterisane nekovalentne interakcije između polifenolnih jedinjenja iz ekstrakata kafe, kakaoa, zelenog i crnog čaja i BLG-a. Pokazano je da se usled formiranja nekovalentnih interakcija između polifenolnih jedinjenja i BLG-a smanjuje digestibilnost proteina i da dolazi do maskiranja ukupnog antioksidativnog kapaciteta. Tretiranjem BLG-a ultrazvukom visokog intenziteta generisani su stabilni modifikati sa različitim promenama u sekundarnoj i tercijarnoj strukturi. Kontrolisanje temperature u toku tretmana je imalo odlučujući efekat na vrstu modifikacije. Izrazite promene u tercijarnoj strukturi BLG-a su dovele do formiranja polimera, gubitka afiniteta za vezivanje retinola i brže degradacije pepsinom. Promene u sekundarnoj strukturi nisu uslovile promene u digestibilnosti i vezivanju retinola. Afinitet sonifikovanih formi za vezivanje IgE antitela i indukciju IgE posredovane aktivacije bazofila i mastocita nije bio narušen...β-lactoglobulin (BLG) is the major whey protein of ruminant species, but is also present in the milk of many other species. It is well known that BLG has many benefitial functional properties such as gelling, foaming and emulsifying properties. Although, BLG is considered to be a valuable protein in view of nutritional science, and is frequently used as an additive in food industry, BLG is known to be a potent allergen responsible for milk allergy; around 45% of patients allergic to milk are sensitive to BLG. Hence, it is strongly desirable to develop new methods that would decrease the allergenicity and enhance the functional properties of BLG. Also, all the research in the field of food science can not exclude the presence of other components in the food matrix. The subject of this thesis was to examine the impact of the interactions formed between food matrix components (protein-polyphenol compounds) and selected food processing techniques (ultrasound and enzyme cross-linking) on the structure and function of BLG. In the paper, non-covalent interactions between polyphenolic compounds from extracts of coffee, cocoa, green and black tea and BLG are characterized. It is shown that due to the formation of non-covalent interactions between polyphenolic compounds and BLG, protein digestibility is reduced and total antioxidant capacity is masked. Treatment of BLG by high intensity ultrasound generated stable modified protein forms with marked changes in the secondary and tertiary structure. Temperature control during treatment had a determining effect on the type of modification. Striking changes in the tertiary structure of BLG led to the formation of polymers, the loss of affinity for retinol binding and degradation by pepsin. Alterations in the secondary structure did not cause changes in digestability and retinol binding..

Determination post industrial cities: creative play - fast forward Belgrade 2016

In the post industrial society of today we are witness to certain rather odd phenomenon: only a handful of industries have survived: high fashion, being one of them, which is interacted with mostly through technological gadgets; over-abundance of information freely offered through the net has disabled our ability to realistically evaluate facts, which often leads to spoiled tourists that have to be catered to through the repackaging of heritage sites found in cities with apps that are hand-held and are used as guides, as they move and search for new experiences that the cities of today have to offer, by competing with each other. In order to save the Cities in this cruel world full of competition, to regain their youthful, fresh and interesting appearances - architects and planners are seeking out the right answers and suggestions on several issues. What should we focus on while re-thinking the City? How can we bring in tourists and investors, can we improve the social frame? How can we regain the pride of the citizen? Perhaps by keeping or restoring their jobs? How can we maintain a creative and enthusiastic attitude under really bad social conditions? This necessary mix with new technologies – does it really improve a city or does it simply disables a city’s ability to move forward? The hypothesis that a mixture of creative industries and new technologies can upgrade weak social structures by providing small jobs and generally revitalising the city – is discussed in this paper. Using Belgrade as a case study, my Master class students attempted to build an integrative platform entitled Bel_app_grade, which will provide necessary big data, all in one place. This work is also about a presentation of their idea. Creative play –the new city of the 21st century is moving at a fast forward pace

Faktori koji doprinose kašnjenju projekta iz perspektive izvođača radova: studija slučaja - građevinski projekti putne infrastrukture u Srbiji

Infrastrukturni projekti su kapitalni projekti koji su veoma složeni u pogledu obima, trajanja i velikog broja učesnika. Prema postojećim studijama, prekoračenje vremena građevinskih projekata je jedan od najčešćih problema. Cilj ovog istraživanja je da se identifikuju uzroci kašnjenja u cilju razvoja mera za ublažavanje ili otklanjanje potencijalnih rizika i uspešnog završetka projekta u planiranom roku. Da bi se postigao definisani cilj, sprovedeno je empirijsko istraživanje kako bi se identifikovali glavni uzroci kašnjenja na projektima putne infrastrukture iz perspektive izvođača radova. Anketa je obuhvatila 53 uzroka kašnjenja grupisanih u 8 kategorija. Ukupno 35 izvođača je učestvovalo u empirijskom istraživanju. Rezultati su pokazali da su najčešći uzroci koji prouzrokuju prekoračenje vremena problemi sa projektnom dokumentacijom i tenderske procedure. Doprinosi ovog istraživanja mogu biti od koristi u cilju poboljšanja vremenskih performansi na projektima putne infrastruktur

Poluautomatska predprojektna procena dinamike, troškova i rizika za stambene objekte

Za obezbeđenje finansijskog uspeha projekta, ključno je da investitori izvrše pouzdane procene pre nego što se obavežu na projekat nabavkom građevinskog zemljišta. Ovaj rad prezentuje metodologiju i softversko rešenje za pred-projektnu polu-automatsku procenu dinamike, troškova i rizika za stambene objekte. Za automatsko planiranje, dizajniran je "Univerzalni ritmični ciklogram" na nivou glavnih tokova, koji je određen trajanjem prvog toka i zazorima. Umesto procene ukupnih troškova projekta, predloženi metod procenjuje količine za ključne aktivnosti omogućavajući korišćenje trenutnih tržišnih jediničnih cena u funkciji kvaliteta. Monte Carlo simulacije, primenjene na intervale prekoračenja na nivou aktivnosti, predviđaju vrednosti za ukupne troškove, prihode i trajanje projekta koje uključuju rizik. Ulazni podaci su: urbanistički parametri iz Informacije o lokaciji, broj podzemnih etaža, troškovi po aktivnostima, prodajne cene, parametri finansiranja, datum početka gradnje i granice intervala za rizik

Planning of Smart Government of Belgrade

Today cities are becoming ever more complex systems with vast amounts of data flowing through various channels of our societies. By adding layers and layers of complexity, we as individuals become more disoriented in the vast amount of available information, possibilities and choices. It is only when we are able to structure this information and data into meaningful patterns, can we find ways to understand and cope with the issues at hand. Whether it be seeking employment, better education, cultural events or trying to solve complex issues at a larger scale, similar principles apply. Cultivating a community and bringing people together represents one of the most important aspects of how we choose to use these tools/technologies to make an impact on cities and the globe. The process of building a web application/digital platform should be based on MVP – Minimum viable product, which means that the product should be put into function as soon as possible and tested with minimum investments in time and money. The reason for this is also a better way to find a path to potential users and to make corrections early on, to get rid of needless categories, or to add and develop new applications for the platform. The first phase of the project includes making a map with hyperlinks, pinpoints and other tools which ensures the efficient mapping of start-ups, collaborative spaces, cultural events, etc, so that users can easily search and get information. Authors of new platform - students of Master class named “City and Design” at the Faculty of Architecture University of Belgrade, under the menthoring of Prof. Dr Eva Vaništa Lazarevi����� represent newgrowing young specialists; those who will be responsible for the development of cities in the 21st century, new soft leaders which should be soon incorporated in planning of smart government of Belgrade

Basics of ultrasound: Physics and artefacts

Ultrasound (US) represents mechanical, longitudinal, acoustic waves with frequencies above 20 000 Hz. Ultrasound waves of frequency from 2 to 20 MHz are used in diagnostics. US waves have the following characteristics: propagation velocity, frequency, wavelength and amplitude. By passing through human bodies, in interaction with different tissues, US loses energy-attenuation. This is due to: absorption, reflection, refraction, dispersion and diffraction of ultrasonic waves. Reflection is responsible for the occurrence of an ultrasound image. In the ultrasonic transducer there are piezoelectric crystals that have the ability to convert electrical impulses into mechanical (ultrasonic) waves and vice versa. By connecting an US with a circuit, piezoelectric crystals convert electrical impulses into US waves. In the interaction with matter, some of them are reflected/rejected. These echoes are again detected by piezoelectric crystals in US transducer and converted into electrical impulses which are displayed on the screen in the form of points. The US transducer is both a generator and a US wave receiver. On the basis of reflected echoes in the form of points, a picture on the screen is formed. The intensity of reflected echoes represents echogenicity, i.e. the ability of a structure to create US waves. Thus, we distinguish anechoic, hypoechoic, hyperechoic and isoechoic structure. Based on the frequency, resolution and penetration of ultrasonic waves, the probe is divided into: convex, linear and sector. The basic rule is that the higher the frequency of the US transducer the better the image resolution, but the smaller the penetration of the US wave. Forms that do not represent anatomical structures appear as a result of US examinations but are the result of specific inspection techniques and are called artefacts. These include: acoustic enhancement, acoustic shadow, reverberation and the phenomenon of 'mirrors'

Arthrospira platensis and Porphyra sp. – prospective serum- substitute in HEK293T cell culture

Both Arthrospira platensis (Spirulina) and Porphyra sp. (Nori) are algae known for their richness in vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, proteins, such as phycobiliproteins (PBPs). Тhanks to their exceptional nutritional properties they have potential to be considered as a high-quality substitute for fetal bovine serum (FBS) in cellular cultivation, which has numerous drawbacks since it can be involved in contamination development and its composition is still unclear. In this study we investigated the influence of Spirulina and Nori extracts on HEK293T cell line growth and viability in serum-reduced conditions. In DMEM/F12 medium supplemented with 0–10% FBS, the concentration-dependent effects of PBPs on cell proliferation were investigated. Cell viability and cytotoxicity were evaluated by MTT assay. During 3-day observation prior to MTT assay and MTT assay itself showed that HEK293T exhibited improvement in viability at lower PBP concentrations, while presence of higher concentrations resulted in inhibition of growth and change in morphology as a consequence of their cytotoxicity at higher concentrations. These findings suggest that PBPs have a positive outcome on cell growth at relevant doses. In general, in this study were obtained results proving the potential advantages of PBPs at lower doses on cell proliferation in serum-reduced conditions, but also HEK293T cells ability to adapt in non-standard cultivation set-up

A multidisciplinary study on magnesium

During plasma electrolytic oxidation of a magnesium alloy (96% Mg, 3% Al, 1% Zn) we obtained a luminescence spectrum in the wave number range between 19 950 and 20 400 cm-1. The broad peak with clearly pronounced structure was assigned to the v’-v” = 0 sequence of the B 1Σ+ → X 1Σ+ electronic transition of MgO. Quantum-mechanical perturbative approach was applied to extract the form of the potential energy curves for the electronic states involved in the observed spectrum, from the positions of spectral bands. These potential curves, combined with the results of quantum-chemical calculations of the electric transition moment, were employed in subsequent variational calculations to obtain the Franck-Condon factors and transition moments for the vibrational transitions observed. Comparing the results of these calculations with the measured intensity distribution within the spectrum we derived relative population of the upper electronic state vibration levels. This enabled us to estimate the plasma temperature. Additionally, the temperature was determined by analysis of the recorded A 2Σ+ (v’ = 0) - X 2П (v” = 0) emission spectrum of OH. The composition of plasma containing magnesium, oxygen, and hydrogen under assumption of local thermal equilibrium was calculated in the temperature range up to 12 000 K and for pressures of 105, 106, 107, and 108 Pa, in order to explain the appearance of the observed spectral features and to contribute to elucidation of processes taking place during the electrolytic oxidation of Mg. [Projekat Ministarstva nauke Republike Srbije, br. 172040

Je li smanjena koncentracija dušikova monoksida nakon intravitrealne injekcije triamcinolon acetonida jedan od razloga porasta očnog tlaka?

Diabetic macular edema is the most common cause of vision loss in patients affected by diabetes mellitus. For eyes with persistent retinal thickening despite anti-VEGF therapy, treatment with intravitreal triamcinolone may be considered, especially in pseudophakic eyes. The aim of this study was to examine aqueous humor nitric oxide concentration changes in pseudophakic eyes with persistent diffuse diabetic macular edema after intravitreal injection of triamcinolone acetonide, as well as the potential impact of these changes on the intraocular pressure values. In 10 pseudophakic eyes with persistent diffuse diabetic macular edema, paracentesis of anterior chamber with aspiration of aqueous humor and nitric oxide concentration measurements were done on the day of the intravitreal application of 20 mg triamcinolone acetonide, and after 1, 3, 6 and 9 months. Also, we were recording intraocular pressure values before the intravitreal triamcinolone acetonide injection and during the next 9 months. One month after the intravitreal triamcinolone acetonide injection, we noticed a decrease of nitric oxide concentration (45.37±5.55 μmol/L) by 31.79% compared to the initial values (66.52±7.66 μmol/L). After that, nitric oxide concentrations began to rise slightly, and at the end of the ninth month the mean nitric oxide concentration was similar to that recorded at the beginning of the study. Intraocular pressure values had increasing trend one month after the intravitreal triamcinolone acetonide injection (23.70±4.08 mm Hg) compared to the initial values (16.21±1.55 mm Hg), but after nine months these values returned to normal levels. Decreased concentration of nitric oxide could be one of the reasons for increased intraocular pressure after intravitreal application of triamcinolone acetonide in the treatment of diffuse diabetic macular edema.Dijabetični edem makule najčešći je uzrok gubitka vida kod bolesnika s dijabetesom melitusom. Za oči s trajnim zadebljanjem mrežnice unatoč anti-VEGF terapiji liječenje intravitrealnim triamcinolonom može se razmotriti, osobito kod pseudofakičnih očiju. Cilj ovog istraživanja bio je ispitati promjene koncentracije dušikova monoksida u očnoj vodici u pseudofakičnim očima s trajnim difuznim dijabetičnim edemom makule nakon intravitrealnog ubrizgavanja triamcinolon acetonida, kao i potencijalni utjecaj tih promjena na vrijednosti očnog tlaka. U 10 pseudofakičnih očiju s ustrajnim difuznim dijabetičnim edemom makule paracenteza prednje očne sobice s aspiracijom očne vodice i mjerenjem koncentracije dušikova monoksida obavljena je na dan intravitrealne primjene 20 mg triamcinolon acetonida te nakon 1, 3, 6 i 9 mjeseci. Također smo bilježili vrijednosti očnog tlaka prije intravitrealnog ubrizgavanja triamcinolon acetonida i tijekom sljedećih 9 mjeseci. Mjesec dana nakon intravitrealnog ubrizgavanja triamcinolon acetonida primijetili smo smanjenje koncentracije dušikova monoksida (45,37±5,55 μmol/L) za 31,79% u odnosu na početne vrijednosti (66,52±7,66 μmol/L). Nakon toga koncentracije dušikova monoksida počele su lagano rasti, a na kraju devetog mjeseca srednja koncentracija dušikova monoksida bila je slična kao i na početku studije. Vrijednosti očnog tlaka imale su trend porasta mjesec dana nakon ubrizgavanja intravitrealnog triamcinolon acetonida (23,70±4,08 mm Hg) u usporedbi s početnim vrijednostima (16,21±1,55 mm Hg), ali nakon devet mjeseci te su se vrijednosti vratile na normalnu razinu. Smanjena koncentracija dušikova monoksida mogla bi biti jedan od razloga povišenog očnog tlaka nakon intravitrealne primjene triamcinolon acetonida u liječenju difuznog dijabetičnog edema makule