The analysis of parameters of glicoregulation, liporegulation and thyroid function during pregnancy

Trudnoća predstavlja stanje rezistencije na insulin koja u ne kih žena može da predisponira razvoj dijabetesa, koji je udružen sa povećanim rizikom i po majku i po plod. Tokom trudnoće su česti i poremećaji tiroidne funkcije, posebno autoimunska tiroidna bolest (AITB) i hipotiroidizam. Osnovni cilj istra živanja je analiza pa rametara glikoregulacije, liporegulacije i parametara funkcije štitaste žlezde tokom trudnoće. Istraživanje predstavlja kliničku, opservacionu, neinterventnu, analitičku, prospektivnu, kohortnu studiju, sprovedene u jednom centru. Osnovni kriterijum i za uključivanje pacijenata u studiju su bili: ženski pol, starost iznad 18 godina i postavljena dijagnoza vitalne i željene trudnoće u prvom trimestru. Protokol istraživanja je podrazumevao da ono bude obavljeno tokom četiri posete pa cijentkinja (u 1., 2. i 3. trimestru trudnoće, kao i četiri nedelje posle porođaja): OGTT sa 100g glukoze, sa određivanjem glikemije i insulinemije u 0, 60, 120 i 180 minutu, HbA1c, parametri funkcije štitaste žlezde (fT4, fT3, TSH, antiTG antitela, antiTPO antitela, kalcitonin), standardne laboratorijske analize, lipidogram (tHol, HDL, LDL, TAG. U dalje istraživanje su uključe ne samo pacijentkinje koje su imale sve uključujuće i ni jedan isključujući kriterijum. Na osnovu rezultata OGTT stratifikovali smo ispitanice u tri grupe: normalna tolerancija glukoze (NTG), minimalni poremećaj glikoregulacije (MPG) i gestacijski dijabetes melitus (GDM), odnosno u dve grupe : normalna tolerancija glukoze (NTG) i patološka tolerancija glukoze (PTG=MPG+G DM).Pregnancy presents a state of insulin resistance that can predipose diabetes development in some women, and is associated with increased risk for neonate and for mother. During pregnancy are often thyroid disorders, especially autoimmune thyroid disease (AITD) and hypothyreoidism. The main goal of the research was analysis of parameters glicoregulation, liporegulation and thyroid function during pregnancy. This research presents clinical, observational, noninterventional, analytic, prospective, cohort study, conducted in one center. Inclusion criteria were: female gender, older than 18 years and diagnosis of vital and desired pregnancy in the first trimester. Study protocol imply that it should be done during four visits (1st, 2nd and 3rd trimester, and 4 weeks after delivery): ОGТТ with 100 g glucose, with specifying glicemia and insulinemia in 0. , 60. , 120. and 180. minutes and HbA1c, thyroid function parameters (fТ4, fТ3, ТSH, antiТG antibodies, antiТPO аntibodies, calcitonin), standard laboratory analysis, lipids (tHol, HDL, LDL, TAG). According to OGTT results we divided patients in three groups : normal glucose tolerance (NGT), minimal disorder of glicoregulation (МDG) and gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM), respectively in two groups : normal glucose tolerance and pathologic glucose tolerance (PTG=MDG+GDM). The research included 92 pregnant women with diagnosis of vital and desired pregnancy in the first trimester, while 77 finished examination. Patients were average 30,8±4,7 (19-41) years old. It was shown that there was impact the number of risk factors on degree of glucose tolerance disorder (р=0,034), while most of patients had no risk factor (48%). From 77 patients, the 9 was with GDM, 9 was with MPG (18 with PTG). As pregnancy progress, disorder of glucose tolerance increased (in 2nd and 3rd trimester), while four weeks after delivery all were with NTG. The average insulinemia during pregnancy is the greatest in 1st and 2nd trimester in MDG group in 60. and 120. minute, in GDM group in 120. minute, during 3rd trimester greatest in 0. and 60. minute in MDG group, while in 120. and 180. minute greatest in GDM group. The average insulinemia during pregnancy is significantly great in PTG

The conventional and contemporary technologies in maize (Zea mays L) breeding at Maize Research Institut Zemun Polje

Broad genetic variability of starting biological material is crucial prerequisite for the successful breeding program. Maize Research Institute, owning Gene bank with more than 6,000 accessions consisted of the local and introduced collection, has the opportunity for the investigation both fundamental genetic processes, pre-breeding and breeding for commercial purposes. To search for new sources of maize drought tolerance Gene bank accessions were scored visually on stay-green phenotype and total appearance. More than 50 genotypes have been identified as a potential source for drought tolerance. Besides breeding on improved storage protein quality decreasing of phytate content in kernel is also under the consideration, because the most phosphorous is bound in phytate. In breeding program it is desirable to have genotypes with higher content of available phosphorous (P) not bound in phytate. Among 60 analyzed populations from Gene bank only one has been determined to have very low phytate content and will be used in maize breeding program on low phytate in kernel. Process of maize breeding, to get high yielding hybrids, begins by the genetic variability determination of starting breeding material, either populations or selected inbred lines. Genetic divergence of parental inbred lines is main step to get high heterotic effect in yield after crossing. Use of different molecular markers allowed cluster analysis by use of UPGMA methods and select high number of genotypes to be included in crossing process

Ethics in scientific results application: gene and life forms patenting

Konstantinov K., S. Mladenovic Drinic, V. Andelkovic and M. Babic (2010): Ethics in scientific results application: gene and life forms patenting - Genetika, Vol 42, No. 1, 195 -208. The remarkable development and application of new genetic technologies over the past decades has been accompanied by profound changes in the way in which research is commercialized in the life sciences. As results, new varieties of commercially grown crops with improved or new traits are developed. Many thousands of patents which assert rights over DNA sequences have been granted to researchers across the public and private sector. The effects of many of these patents are extensive, because inventors who assert rights over DNA sequences obtain protection on all uses of the sequences. Extremely valuable to breeders in the national agricultural research system is the ability to genotype their collections to get a clear picture of their diversity and how diversity could be enhanced through sharing and access to global collections. The issue of the eligibility for patenting of DNA sequences needs to be reopened. Patents that assert rights over DNA sequences and their uses are, in some cases, supportable, but in others, should be treated with great caution. Rights over DNA sequences as research tools should be discouraged. That the best way to discourage the award of such patents is by stringent application of the criteria for patenting, particularly utility. A more equitable, ethically based food and agricultural system must incorporate concern for three accepted global goals: improved well being, protection of the environment and improved public health (particular point food from GMO). To mitigate conflict one of the approach to solve problem is ethical and truthful label of GM food, because consumers have a right to choose whether to eat genetically modified foods or not. Interesting examples and risks as consequences of free availability of genetic resources utilization, its transformation, patenting of "new" organism and selling it back to the genetic resource owner are presented. Society has obligations to raise levels of nutrition and standards living by all respect to ethics at each step

Maize genebank collections as potentially valuable breeding material

Vancetovic J., S. Mladenovic Drinic, M.Babic, D. Ignjatovic Micic and V.Andelkovic (2010): Maize genebank collections as potentially valuable breeding material. - Genetika, Vol. 42, No. 1, 9 - 21. Characterization and evaluation of the genetic resources provide breeders with valuable information on an effective utilization of the genetic resources in breeding programs. In this paper we present the results of different research programs aimed at identification of superior genotypes among MRI gene bank accessions, regarding stress tolerance (drought and herbicides), better nutritional quality (phosphorus) and specific traits (cytoplasmic male sterility - CMS). Fifty-two genotypes were identified as a potential source for drought tolerance. Considering herbicide tolerance only genotypes with resistance to the Pivot were found. Within 100 sources of CMS in the collection S cytoplasm was identified as the predominant type. Phytate analysis of 60 maize populations identified three groups of populations with low (8), intermediate (25) and high (27) phytate content. The results of these researches, which are a part of pre-breeding activities, will be included in MRI breeding programs, with the aim of developing new genotypes with improved traits important in commercial maize breeding and seed production

Pigmented maize - a potential source of β-carotene and α-tocopherol

Among cereals, maize has the highest content of bioavailable micronutrients in grain, particularly β-carotene and α-tocopherol, which makes this crop the most appropriate for biofortification. Great genetic variability is a valuable source of micronutrients, and genotypes with enhanced grain content could be used for improvement of commercial hybrids or synthetic populations creation. Three populations with dark orange, dark red and red grain, five elite lines, and their crosses were evaluated for β-carotene and α-tocopherol content. Based on obtained results, line (L5) could be further used in breeding for increased β-carotene content, and population with dark orange grain (P1) is recommended as a good source for multi-nutrient biofortification for both β-carotene and α-tocopherol. Three lines (L1, L2 and L5) had significantly higher value of α-tocopherol in crosses with dark red population (P2), compared to lines per se, and require several cycles of back-crossing for increase nutrient content. Keywords: biofortification, inbred line, maize, micronutrient, population

Management of Non-Classic Congenital Adrenal Hyperplasia in Pregnant Woman - Non-Referral Center Experience- Case Report

Congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH) is a rare autosomal recessive disorder with mutations in genes involved in cortisol and aldosterone production. Based on overall 21-OHase activity, CAH is divided into classic (C-CAH) and non-classic (NC-CAH). Females who suffered from NC-CAH have had increased infertility rates and higher miscarriage susceptibility. The treatment of CAH in pregnancy is still debatable. We present 22-years-old pregnant female (seventh week of gestation), who is currently under dexamethasone (DEX) since almost seven years for NC-CAH. At presentation, she is normotensive, non-obese, with no signs of hirsutism and Cushing syndrome. Seven days after the first visit, an endocrinologist makes informative talk with the patient and her mother about NC-CAH, pregnancy, and drugsassociated risks. Current Clinical Practice Guideline for CAH treatment suggests the use of protocols approved by Institutional Review Boards at Centers experienced in CAH treatment. In women with CAH who are planning a pregnancy, a close relationship between endocrinologist, reproductive gynaecologist and molecular biologist is of great interest. Prenatal management with DEX is advised in particular circumstances. In remaining, the switch from DEX to other glucocorticoids that do not penetrate placenta is advise

Ekspresija gena u zrnu kukuruza kao odgovor na toplotni i vodni stres

New high-throughput techniques, together with advances in analytical and computational technologies are enabling systemic investigations of molecular processes of biological systems. Clustering is widely applied by biologists in genome sequencing projects and phylogenetic studies. In the microarray expression analysis, the aim of cluster is to better organize but not to alter primary data: genes are visually organized according to the statistical transformation and calculation, due to the expression pattern in maize kernel during heat and water stress. Besides grouping together genes with similar patterns of expression, genes are represented by increased intensity of red, dig. green color, according to their up- or down-regulation in stress condition, compared to control.Nove tehnike, zajedno sa dostignućima u analitičkoj i kompjuterskoj tehnologiji omogućile su sistematsko ispitivanje molekularnih procesa u biološkim sistemima. Klaster analiza se široko primenjuje od strane biologa u programima sekvencioniranja genoma i filogenteskim proučavanjima. U proučavanju ekspresije gena korišćenjem "microarray" tehnike, cilj klaster analize je da se bolje organizuju, ali ne i zamene izvorni podaci: geni su vizuelno organizovani na osnovu statističkih transformacija i proračuna, a prema načinu ekspresije u uslovima toplotnog i vodnog stresa u zrnu kukuruza. Pored grupisanja gena sa sličnim načinom ekspresije, svaki gen je predstavljen različitim intenzitetom crvene, tj.zelene boje u zavisnosti od toga da li je utvrđeno povećanje ili smanjenje ekspresije gena u uslovima stresa u odnosu na kontrolu

Genetic variability of maize grain antioxidant compounds

Due to its natural diversity maize is one of the most heterogeneous cereals in terms of biochemical composition. Maize grain contains antioxidant compounds, associated with nutraceutical properties and health promotion benefits. Therefore, such grain is considered to be a functional food and features high antioxidant activities and preventive functions against cancer, diabetes, obesity and neurodegenerative disorders. The purpose of this research was to screen a set of six maize lines from MRI gene bank and a set of 10 ZP commercial lines for phenolic acids, tocopherols and carotenoids content by HPLC. Ranges of phenolic acids were as follows: gallic 2.86-26.99 μg/g, protocatechuic 2.21-75.92 μg/g, vanillic 1.10-10.34 μg/g, caffeic 0.65-8.77 μg/g, syringic 0.57-12.74 μg/g, sinapic 0.11-4.50 μg/g, p‐coumaric 0.23-1.58 μg/g, ferulic 0.71-4.61 μg/g, and cinnamic acid 0.87-45.61 μg/g. Significant variations for all analyzed components between genotypes were observed. The highest coefficient of variation is estimated for β carotene and sinapic acid. Maize lines from gene bank collection had highest average content of gallic acid, δ-tocopherol, γ+β-tocopherol, α-tocopherol, and β carotene. ZP commercial lines had higher average value for protocatechuic, vanillic, caffeic, syringic, sinapic, p‐coumaric, ferulic, cinnamic acid and lutein + zeaxanthin. Line ZPL6 had the highest content of phenolic acids and β carotene among the lines from the gene bank; line ZPL14 and ZPL16 had the highest value of vanillic, p‐coumaric, ferulic acid, γ + β-tocopherol and lutein + zeaxanthin. PCA for all analyzed antioxidant compounds clearly separated inbred lines from MRI gene bank from ZP commercial lines. This study provides baseline information on the nutritional value of analyzed maize lines which can be used for future breeding works and enhance germplasm utilization focused on the improved nutritional and functional properties of maize

Evaluacija morfoloških osobina i mikronutrienata zrna kod populacija kukuruza

Maize grains contain high level of carotenoids and tocopherols compared with other cereals. Among carotenoids the β-carotene has the highest activity and is considered important in breeding programs of biofortified crops. Changes in carotenoids content in the maize grain could be influence of genotype x environment interaction, or effect of existing relationship between the color of the endosperm and the presence of carotenoids. This research was performed to estimate differences in morphological traits, grain content of tocopherols (α-, β+γ-, δ-), β-carotene, lutein and zeaxantin in local and introduced populations from Maize Research Institute 'Zemun Polje' gene bank. Micronutrient content was detected by using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Coefficient of variation for morphological traits was less than 10%, except for grain yield per plant which vary about 18,6%. α-tocopherol content was in the range from 1.04-8.42 μgg-1 DW, and β-carotene content varied from 0.26 to 7.95 μgg-1 DW. δ-tocopherol was in significant correlation with number of kernels per row (r=0.700***), and β+γ-tocopherol was in significant negative correlation with plant and ear height (r=-0.601***; r=-0.591**). Correlations between morphological traits and α-tocopherol were weak and without significance. Kernel color was significantly correlated with the content of zeaxantin (r=0,590***) and β-carotene (r=0,398*). For biofortification purposes a pool of 11 landraces with increased content of both, β-carotene and α-tocopherol, will be created based on obtained results.U odnosu na druge žitarice, zrno kukuruza sadrži visok nivo karotenoida i tokoferola. Od svih karotenoida β-karoten ima najveću aktivnost i smatra se najznačajnim u biofortifikacijskim programima oplemenjivanja žitarica. Ovo istraživanje je imalo za cilj da utvrdi razlike u morfološkim svojstvima, sadržaju tokoferola (α-, β+γ-, δ-), β-karotena, luteina i zeaksantina kod lokalnih i introdukovanih populacija kukuruza iz banke gena Instituta za kukuruz 'ZemunPolje'. Sadržaj mikronutrienata je utvrđen primenom HPLC metode. Koeficijent varijacije za morfološka svojstva je bio manji od 10%, osim za prinos zrna po biljci (Cv=18,6%). Sadržaj α-tokoferola je bio u rasponu od 1,04-8,42 μg g-1 suve mase, a β-karotena od 0,26 to 7,95 μg g-1suve mase. δ-tokoferol je bio u značajnoj korelaciji sa brojem zrna u redu (r=0,700***), dok je β+γ-tokoferol bio u značajnoj negativnoj korelaciji sa visinom biljke i klipa(r=-0,601***; r=- 0,591**). Korelacije između morfoloških svojstava i α-tokoferola bile su slabe i nesignifikantne. Boja zrna je bila u značajnoj korelaciji sa sadržajem zeaksantina (r=0,590***) i β-karotena (r=0,398*). Za potrebe biofortifikacije 'pool' od 11 populacija sa povećanim sadržajem i β-karotena i α-tokoferola biće formiran na osnovu dobijenih rezultata

Procena genetičke varijabilnosti lokalnih populacija zubana primenom morfoloških i molekularnih markera

Maize Research Institute 'Zemun Polje' genebank maintains a collection of landraces grouped into 18 agro-ecological collected from ex-Yugoslavia territories. The application and comparison of different marker systems are important for the characterization and use of maize landraces in breeding program, as potential sources of desirable traits. In this study, 15 morphological traits, 7 RAPD primers and 10 SSR primer pairs were applied to i) to determine genetic distance between 21 maize dent landraces and ii) compare results obtained on morphological and molecular markers. Phenotypic analysis showed high level of heterogeneity between landraces. Higher level of genetic diversity was obtained with SSR than with RAPD. Genetic distance mean value for RAPD data was 0.35 i.e. for SSR 0.48. Based on the morphological traits and molecular markers, unweighted pairgroup method (UPGMA) analysis was applied for cluster analysis, using statistical NTSYSpc program package. Cluster analysis of morphological and molecular markers distances did not show the same population grouping. Better agreement with agro-ecological data was obtained with RAPD markers. Correlations between dissimilarity matrices for different types of markers were low. Data obtained in this work could be useful for further study of a larger number of landraces, and conservation of genetic resources and their genetic diversity.Banka gena Institut za kukuruz 'Zemun Polje' održava kolekciju lokalnih populacija grupisanih u 18 agro-ekološka prikupljenih na prostoru bivše Jugoslavije. Primena i upoređivanje različitih marker-analiza su važni za karakterizaciju i korišćenje lokalnih populacija kukuruza u selekcionim programima, kao potencijalnih izvora poželjnih osobina. U ovom radu 15 morfoloških osobina, 7 RAPD prajmera i 10 SSR prajmera su primenjeni sa ciljem i) utvrđivanja genetičke udaljenosti između 21 lokalnih populacija kukuruza zubana i ii) upoređivanja rezultata dobijenih na osnovu morfoloških i molekularnih markera. Fenotipska analiza je pokazala visok stepen heterogenosti između lokalnih populacija. Viši nivo genetičkog diverziteta je dobijen sa SSR nego sa RAPD markerima. Srednja vrednost genetičke distance za RAPD je bila 0.35, odnosno 0.48 za SSR. Na osnovu morfoloških osobina i molekularnih markera, pomoću UPMGA analize dobijeni su klasteri, koristeći NTSYSpc statistički program. Klaster analiza na osnovu morfoloških i molekularnih markera nije pokazala isto grupisanje lokalnih populacija. Bolje slaganje sa agroekološkim podacima je dobijeno na osnovu RAPD markera. Korelacije su bile niske između genetičkih distanci za različite tipove markera. Rezultati dobijeni u ovom radu mogu biti od koristi za dalje proučavanje većeg broja lokalnih populacija, kao i očuvanje genetičkih resursa i njihovog genetičkog diverziteta