Quality of Life and Mood Disorders in Patients with Hashimoto Thyroiditis

Aim: It is well known that hypothyroidism is associated with poorer quality of life. Still, there are more studies nowadays that also report low health-related quality of life (HRQol), more depression, and anxiety in euthyroid Hashimoto thyroiditis (HT). We hypothesized that autoimmunity itself is associated with low HRQoL and a high prevalence of mood disorders in euthyroid HT. Patients and methods: We examined 130 euthyroid patients with HT (90% females) and 111 matched euthyroid, healthy controls. The groups were subdivided per age: 20-49 yrs. and 50 years. We conducted a cross-sectional analysis. We took blood samples for thyroid hormone levels and thyroid autoantibodies. We examined HRQoL via the health questionnaire (SF-36) short-form version 1 and the presence and degree of mood disorders with the Hospital anxiety and depression scale (HADS) questionnaire. Significant associations between variables were examined with ANOVA analysis and partial correlations. Results: Patients were significantly more depressed than control subjects (p 0.001), and have had more anxiousness, but only in the younger group (p 0.05). Quality of life was significantly better in the older control group comparing to patients with Hashimoto (p 0.01). The overall SF-36 score was in a significant negative correlation with antibodies (TPOAb, TgAb). Depression was positively associated with TSH and TPOAb levels. Conclusion:  Our study indicated that euthyroid patients with HT had worse HRQoL and showed more symptoms of anxiety and depression. We also have found that levels of thyroid antibodies were crucial in terms of neuropsychological wellbeing. More studies with longitudinal observations could explain a possible causal relationship.</p

Primena hepa-filtera u prehrambenoj industriji

The prevention of microbial contamination of the air of various production and other areas in the food industry, as well as the construction of biologically clean rooms, are very important technological tasks that provide a healthy and safe environment for the life and work of man, but also for the emergence of safe food products and environmental protection. The use of filtration is considered the most effective, most economical and most adaptive system for filtration and sterilization of air. Continuous improvements to the construction of the filters, the selection of new filtration materials, and the methods for controlling their efficiency are the basis for achieving air sterility in process spaces.Prevencijа mikrobne kontaminacije vazduha različitih proizvodnih i drugih prostora u prehrambenoj industriji, kао i izgradnja biološki čistih soba, veoma su važni tehnološki zadaci kојi оbеzbеđuјu zdrаvstvеnо bеzbеdnu srеdinu zа živоt i rаd čоvеkа, аli i zа nаstаnаk bеzbеdnih prеhrаmbеnih prоizvоdа i zаštitu živоtnе srеdinе. Upotreba filtracije se smatra najefikasnijim, najekonomičnijim i najprilagodljivijim sistemom za sterilizaciju vazduha. Stalna poboljšanja konstrukcije filtera, izbor novih filtracionih materijala, kao i metoda kontrole njihove efikasnosti su osnova za postizanje sterilnosti vazduha u procesnim prostorima

Predicting the survival probability of functional neuroendocrine tumors treated with peptide receptor radionuclide therapy: Serbian experience

IntroductionPeptide receptor radionuclide therapy (PRRT) is a treatment option for well-differentiated, somatostatin receptor positive, unresectable or/and metastatic neuroendocrine tumors (NETs). Although high disease control rates seen with PRRT a significant number NET patients have a short progression-free interval, and currently, there is a deficiency of effective biomarkers to pre-identify these patients. This study is aimed at determining the prognostic significance of biomarkers on survival of patients with NETs in initial PRRT treatment.MethodologyWe retrospectively analyzed 51 patients with NETs treated with PRRT at the Department for nuclear medicine, University Clinical Center Kragujevac, Serbia, with a five-year follow-up. Eligible patients with confirmed inoperable NETs, were retrospectively evaluated hematological, blood-based inflammatory markers, biochemical markers and clinical characteristics on disease progression. In accordance with the progression og the disease, the patients were divided into two groups: progression group (n=18) and a non-progression group (n=33). Clinical data were compared between the two groups.ResultsA total of 51 patients (Md=60, age 25-75 years) were treated with PRRT, of whom 29 (56.86%) demonstrated stable disease, 4 (7.84%) demonstrated a partial response, and 14 (27.46%) demonstrated progressive disease and death was recorded in 4 (7.84%) patients. The mean PFS was a 36.22 months (95% CI 30.14-42.29) and the mean OS was 44.68 months (95% CI 37.40-51.97). Univariate logistic regression analysis displayed that age (p&lt;0.05), functional tumors (p&lt;0.05), absolute neutrophil count (p&lt;0.05), neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio-NLR (p&lt;0.05), C-reactive protein-CRP (p&lt;0.05), CRP/Albumin (p&lt;0.05), alanine aminotransferase-ALT (p&lt;0.05), were risk factors for disease progression. Multivariate logistic regression analysis exhibited that functional tumors (p&lt;0.001), age (p&lt;0.05), CRP (p&lt;0.05), and ALT (p&lt;0.05), were independent risk factors for the disease progression in patients with NETs. Tumor functionality was the most powerful prognostic factor. The median PFS (11.86 ± 1.41 vs. 43.38 ± 3.16 months; p=0.001) and OS (21.81 ± 2.70 vs 53.86 ± 3.70, p=0.001) were significantly shorter in patients with functional than non-functional NETs respectively.ConclusionThe study’s results suggest that tumor functionality, and certain biomarkers may serve as prognostic survival indicators for patients with NETs undergoing PRRT. The findings can potentially help to identify patients who are at higher risk of disease progression and tailor treatment strategies accordingly

Mineralni sastav i antimikrobna aktivnost etanolskog ekstrakta žutog zvezdana

In order to study and find plant species that possess antimicrobial activity, this work was carried out testing of plant species Lotus corniculatus L. (birdsfoot trefoil). The work was conceived with the aim to determine the mineral composition and antimicrobial activity of ethanol extract birdsfoot trefoil, and in terms of potential use in food production. The minimum inhibitir concentration (MIC) was tested in microdilution method in a function of time of the extract and the growth of microorganisms. From the point of antimicrobial activity, by testing it was found that extract of Lotus corniculatus L. manifest the strongest antimicrobial activity against Escherichia coli, and the lowest to the bacterium Proteus hauser. Mineral composition of the extract plant species Lotus corniculatus L. was determined by ICP-MS. The study showed that the extract birdsfoot trefoil is rich by mineral composition.Rad je koncipiran sa ciljem da se utvrdi mineralni sastav i antimikrobna aktivnost etanolskog ekstrakta žutog zvezdana, a u smislu potencijalne upotrebe u proizvodnji hrane. Minimalna inhibitorna koncentracija (MIC) ispitivana je mikrodilucionom metodom u funkciji ekstrakta i vremena razvoja mikroorganizama. Sa stanovišta antimikrobnog delovanja, ispitivanjem je ustanovljeno da ekstrakt biljke Lotus corniculatus L. ispoljava najjaču antimikrobnu aktivnost u odnosu na bakteriju Escherichia coli, a najmanju u odnosu na bakteriju Proteus hauseri. Mineralni sastav ekstrakta biljne vrste Lotus corniculatus L. određen je primenom metode ICP-MS. Ispitivanje je pokazalo da je ekstrakt žutog zvezdana bogatog mineralnog sastava

Variation of the cytokine profiles in gingival crevicular fluid between different groups of periodontally healthy teeth

© 2020, University of Kragujevac, Faculty of Science. All rights reserved. Profiling of biomarkers of physiological process represents an integrative part in optimisation of diagnostic markers in order to adjust the diagnostic ranges to the potential effects of the local factors such occlusal forces in case of periodontal tissues. The objective of this study was estimation of IL-1β, IL-2, IL-4, IL-5, IL6, IL-9, IL-10, IL-12, IL-13, IL-17, IL-22, TNFα and IFNγ concentrations in gingival crevicular fluid samples (GCF) between different groups of teeth. Two hundred fifty-nine systemically healthy non-smokers having at least one vital tooth without restorations, with healthy periodontal tissues, were clinically examined and the GCF sample was retrieved. The cytokine levels were estimated using flow cytometry and compared between central incisors (CI), lateral incisors, canines, first premolars, second premolars, first molars and second molars. Cytokine profiles varied between different groups of teeth with tendency of increase in proinflammatory cytokines from anterior teeth toward molars. Molars might be considered teeth with natural predisposition for faster bone resorption while the adjustment of diagnostic range of periodontal biomarkers for anterior or posterior teeth should be considered within diagnostic context. Cytokine profiles varied between different groups of teeth with tendency of increase in proinflammatory cytokines from anterior teeth toward molars. Molars might be considered teeth with natural predisposition for faster bone resorption while the adjustment of diagnostic range of periodontal biomarkers for anterior or posterior teeth should be considered within diagnostic context

Primena prirodnih antimikrobnih jedinjenja u biološkoj zaštiti hrane

The use of certain micro-organisms, their metabolic products, as well as plant extracts, is based on the development of new technologies of biological conservation and protection, which application can contribute, on the one hand, to the standardization process of making food products with uniform and / or improved quality parameters, and on the other hand, the emergence of secure products with longer shelf-life. The quest for a natural alternative to food safety, in relation to the use of chemical substances, is one of the most important activities of the food industry which is determined by the request of modern consumer to consume a minimum of processed foods.Upоtrеbа оdrеđеnih mikrооrgаnizаmа, njihоvih mеtаbоličkih prоdukаtа, kао i bilјnih еkstrаkаtа prеdstаvlја оsnоvu rаzvоја nоvih tеhnоlоgiја biоlоškоg kоnzеrvisаnjа i zаštitе, čiја primеnа mоžе dоprinеti, s јеdnе strаnе, stаndаrdizаciјi prоcеsа izrаdе prеhrаmbеnih prоizvоdа sа uјеdnаčеnim i/ili unаprеđеnim pаrаmеtrimа kvаlitеtа, а sа drugе strаnе, nаstаnku bеzbеdnih prоizvоdа sа prоdužеnim rоkоm upоtrеbе. Potraga za prirodnom alternativom zаštitе hrаnе, u odnosu na upotrebu hemijskih supstanci, predstavlјa jednu od najvažnijih aktivnosti prehrambene industrije, koja je uslovljena zahtevom savremenih potrošača za konzumiranjem minimalno prerađene hrane

Antilisterijski efekat dodatog Lactococcus lactis ssp. lactis tokom proizvodnje mekog belog sira

This study examined strains of lactic acid bacteria isolated from Zlatar cheese produced by the traditional method. Conventional microbiological testing resulted in the isolation of 96 strains of lactic acid bacteria which were then subjected to molecular genetic tests. One of the isolates, designated as Lactococcus lactis ssp. lactis, showed a markedly antilisterial effect under laboratory conditions. Based on the results, further research involved determination of its potential antilisterial effect during soft white cheese production. During fermentation that lasted 21 days, in experimental cheeses inoculated with Listeria monocytogenes ATCC 19111 combined with Lc. lactis spp. lactis culture, there was a reduction in Listeria cell count (by 3-4 log units), which can be considered important potential for biological control in soft white cheese production.U radu su ispitivani sojevi bakterija mlečne kiseline izdvojeni iz zlatarskog sira, koji je proizveden u skladu sa načelima tradicionalne proizvodnje. Primenom klasičnih mikrobioloških testova izolovano je 96 sojeva bakterija mlečne kiseline, koje su zatim podvrgnute molekularno genetskim ispitivanjima. Jedan od izolata, koji je označen kao Lactococcus lactis ssp. lactis ispoljio je u laboratorijskim uslovima izražen antilisterijski efekat. Na bazi tih rezultata vršena su dalja istraživanja radi utvrđivanja njegovog potencijalnog antilisterijskog efekta tokom proizvodnje mekog belog sira. Tokom procesa fermentacije sira, koji je trajao 21 dan, u oglednoj grupi sira u koju je inokulisana Listeria monocytogenes ATCC 19111 zajedno sa kulturom Lc. lactis spp. lactis došlo je do redukcija broja ćelija listerije u siru (za 3-4 log), što se može smatrati znаčајnim pоtеnciјаlom biоlоške zаštitе u njegovoj prоizvоdnji

Reading tea leaves worldwide: decoupled drivers of initial litter decomposition mass‐loss rate and stabilization

The breakdown of plant material fuels soil functioning and biodiversity. Currently, process understanding of global decomposition patterns and the drivers of such patterns are hampered by the lack of coherent large‐scale datasets. We buried 36,000 individual litterbags (tea bags) worldwide and found an overall negative correlation between initial mass‐loss rates and stabilization factors of plant‐derived carbon, using the Tea Bag Index (TBI). The stabilization factor quantifies the degree to which easy‐to‐degrade components accumulate during early‐stage decomposition (e.g. by environmental limitations). However, agriculture and an interaction between moisture and temperature led to a decoupling between initial mass‐loss rates and stabilization, notably in colder locations. Using TBI improved mass‐loss estimates of natural litter compared to models that ignored stabilization. Ignoring the transformation of dead plant material to more recalcitrant substances during early‐stage decomposition, and the environmental control of this transformation, could overestimate carbon losses during early decomposition in carbon cycle models

Clinical usefulness of^99mtc-hynic-toc and¹³¹i-mibg scintigraphy in the evaluation of adrenal tumors

© 2019, University of Kragujevac, Faculty of Science. All rights reserved. Disorders and morphological abnormalities affecting the adrenal gland, could lead to profound clinical consequences, owing to its biochemical structure-activity and morphological characteristics. The recent focus on theranostic approach has led to a need for tumors characterization and early diagnosis at the molecular level. Many radiotracers have been developed with specific imaging characteristics for the adrenal tumors, by exploiting different physiological mechanisms of uptake and metabolism. The aim of present study is to provide a prospective confirmation of131I-MIBG and99mTc-HYNIC-TOC scintigraphy, for the evaluation of patients with known or suspected tumors of the adrenal region. The research is designed as a cross-sectional observational study of the clinical correlates and diagnostic accuracy of radionuclide-based imaging methods in relation to in vitro analysis, clinical manifestations and morphological characteristics of these tumors. Furthermore, the present study also evaluates the usefulness and the clinical impact of each radiopharmaceutical for the detection and management of tumors, and functional imaging modality as well. Visual scintigraphic appearance of an increased focal tracer uptake in the suspected tumor site revealed that99mTcHYNIC-TOC is highly sensitive and reliable tumor-seeking radiotracer for adrenal tumors, but does not distinguish between adenoma and pheochromocytoma, and the existence of hormone secreting adrenocortical tumor cells. However,131IMIBG scintigraphy is highly sensitive and specific method only in differentiating catecholamine-secreting adrenal tumors. Clinical significance of this research is in the accurate localization of adrenal tumors, and is of paramount importance for an algorithmic diagnostic approach and management, and provide the rationale to different therapeutic possibilities

Clinical Usefulness of 99mTc-HYNIC-TOC and 131I-MIBG Scintigraphy in the Evaluation of Adrenal Tumors

Disorders and morphological abnormalities affecting the adrenal gland, could lead to profound clinical consequences, owing to its biochemical structure-activity and morphological characteristics