Conceptions of teachers about their role in children needs satisfaction

Namera istraživačica u ovom radu bila je da empirijskim putem proniknu u način na koji nastavnici opažaju sopstvenu ulogu u zadovoljavanju potreba njihovih učenika. Pošlo se od pretpostavke da su nastavnici, po prirodi svoga posla, u toku svog radnog vremena dominantno upućeni na direktan kontakt sa decom i da to oblikuje njihovo ponašanje i subjektivne doživljaje. Nastavnici su, takođe, posebno obrazovani za profesionalno bavljenje obrazovanjem i vaspitanjem mladih, pa u tom pogledu (zajedno sa roditeljima) imaju ključnu ulogu, kako u zaštiti prava, tako i u zadovoljavanju potreba dece. Istraživanjem su dobijeni odgovori od 305 nastavnika razredne i predmetne nastave iz centralnih beogradskih škola. Rezultati pokazuju da nastavnici najveći značaj za normalan razvoj deteta daju fizičkim, emocionalnim i potrebama za organizacijom, a manji potrebama za ovladavanjem, raznovrsnom stimulacijom i socijalnim potrebama. Sopstvenu i roditeljsku odgovornost nastavnici ocenjuju kao dosta visoku. Učitelji se razlikuju od predmetnih nastavnika u vrsti odgovornosti, a nastavnice od nastavnika u rangiranju važnosti dečjih potreba i u oceni stepena odgovornosti različitih aktera.The purpose of this paper was to empirically examine the way in which teachers perceive their role in satisfaction of the needs of pupils. We started with the assumption that teachers, by the nature of their work, are during their working hours mostly in direct contact with children, and therefore modify their behavior and subjective experiences. Since teachers are, also, specifically trained for professional engagement in education and upbringing of children, they are considered to have (along with parents) a key role in protection of rights, as well as in satisfaction of children needs. Research data were gathered on a sample of 305 teachers from Belgrade central schools. Results show that teachers perceive physical, emotional and organizational needs as more important then competence, variety and social needs. They highly evaluate their own and parental responsibility for satisfaction of these needs. Evaluations of teachers of younger students differ in value from ones of teachers of older students, and female teachers differ from male teachers in average rank of different children needs and evaluations of responsibility of various school life partakers in their satisfaction

Synthesis, Characterization, and Therapeutic Efficacy of 177Lu-DMSA@SPIONs in Nanobrachytherapy of Solid Tumors

As an alternative to classical brachytherapy, intratumoral injection of radionuclide-labeled nanoparticles (nanobrachytherapy, NBT) has been investigated as a superior delivery method over an intravenous route for radionuclide therapy of solid tumors. We created superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (SPIONs) coated with meso-1,2-dimercaptosuccinic acid (DMSA) and radiolabeled with Lutetium-177 (177Lu), generating 177Lu-DMSA@SPIONs as a potential antitumor agent for nanobrachytherapy. Efficient radiolabeling of DMSA@SPIONS by 177Lu resulted in a stable bond with minimal leakage in vitro. After an intratumoral injection to mouse colorectal CT-26 or breast 4T1 subcutaneous tumors, the nanoparticles remained well localized at the injection site for weeks, with limited leakage. The dose of 3.70 MBq/100 µg/50 µL of 177Lu-DMSA@SPIONs applied intratumorally resulted in a high therapeutic efficacy, without signs of general toxicity. A decreased dose of 1.85 MBq/100 µg/50 µL still retained therapeutic efficacy, while an increased dose of 9.25 MBq/100 µg/50 µL did not significantly benefit the therapy. Histopathology analysis revealed that the 177Lu-DMSA@SPIONs act within a limited range around the injection site, which explains the good therapeutic efficacy achieved by a single administration of a relatively low dose without the need for increased or repeated dosing. Overall, 177Lu-DMSA@SPIONs are safe and potent agents suitable for intra-tumoral administration for localized tumor radionuclide therap

Characteristics of low-density and high-density lipoprotein subclasses in pediatric renal transplant recipients

Renal transplant recipients often suffer from dyslipidemia which is one of the principal risk factors for cardiovascular disease. This study sought to determine characteristics of high-density lipoprotein (HDL) and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) particles and their associations with carotid intima-media thickness (cIMT) in a group of pediatric renal transplant recipients. We also examined the influence of immunosuppressive therapy on measured LDL and HDL particle characteristics. HDL size and subclass distribution were determined using gradient gel electrophoresis, while concentrations of small, dense LDL (sdLDL)-cholesterol (sdLDL-C) and sdLDL-apolipoprotein B (sdLDL-apoB) using heparin-magnesium precipitation method in 21 renal transplant recipients and 32 controls. Renal transplant recipients had less HDL 2b (P lt 0.001), but more HDL 3a (P lt 0.01) and 3b (P lt 0.001) subclasses. They also had increased sdLDL-C (P lt 0.01) and sdLDL-apoB (P lt 0.05) levels. The proportion of the HDL 3b subclasses was a significant predictor of increased cIMT (P lt 0.05). Patients treated with cyclosporine had significantly higher sdLDL-C and sdLDL-apoB concentrations (P lt 0.05) when compared with those on tacrolimus therapy. Pediatric renal transplant recipients have impaired distribution of HDL and LDL particles. Changes in the proportion of small-sized HDL particles are significantly associated with cIMT. Advanced lipid testing might be useful in evaluating the effects of immunosuppressive therapy

Cost-effectiveness analysis of acute kidney injury biomarkers in pediatric cardiac surgery

Introduction: Acute kidney injury (AKI) is significant problem in children with congenital heart disease (CHD) who undergo cardiac surgery. The economic impact of a biomarker-based diagnostic strategy for AKI in pediatric populations undergoing CHD surgery is unknown. The aim of this study was to perform the cost effectiveness analysis of using serum cystatin C (sCysC), urine neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (uNGAL) and urine liver fatty acid-binding protein (uL-FABP) for the diagnosis of AKI in children after cardiac surgery compared with current diagnostic method (monitoring of serum creatinine (sCr) level). Materials and methods: We developed a decision analytical model to estimate incremental cost-effectiveness of different biomarker-based diagnostic strategies compared to current diagnostic strategy. The Markov model was created to compare the lifetime cost associated with using of sCysC, uNGAL, uL-FABP with monitoring of sCr level for the diagnosis of AKI. The utility measurement included in the analysis was quality-adjusted life years (QALY). The results of the analysis are presented as the incremental cost-effectiveness ratio (ICER). Results: Analysed biomarker-based diagnostic strategies for AKI were cost-effective compared to current diagnostic method. However, uNGAL and sCys C strategies yielded higher costs and lower effectiveness compared to uL-FABP strategy. uL-FABP added 1.43 QALY compared to current diagnostic method at an additional cost of $8521.87 per patient. Therefore, ICER for uL-FABP compared to sCr was$5959.35/QALY. Conclusions: Our results suggest that the use of uL-FABP would represent cost effective strategy for early diagnosis of AKI in children after cardiac surgery

Clinical Application Neutrophil Gelatinase-Associated Lipocalin and Kidney Injury Molecule-1 as Indicators of Inflammation Persistence and Acute Kidney Injury in Children with Urinary Tract Infection

Background. The aim of this study was to examine the novel renal biomarkers neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL) and kidney injury molecule-1 (KIM-1) to assist pediatricians in the assessment of longer duration of inflammation and acute kidney injury (AKI) development during urinary tract infection (UTI). Methods. The patients enrolled in the study comprised 50 children (mean age was 6 months) with UTI. NGAL in serum and urine (sNGAL and uNGAL, resp.) and KIM-1 in urine were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays. Results. uNGAL levels in subjects with longer duration of inflammation were higher (115.37 ng/mL) than uNGAL levels in subjects with shorter duration of inflammation (67.87 ng/mL, P = 0.022). Difference in sNGAL and KIM-1 levels was not significant (P = 0.155 and P = 0.198, resp.). Significant difference was seen in KIM-1 excretion among groups with and without AKI (P = 0.038). KIM-1 was not able to discriminate between subjects with and without AKI (area under the curves (AUC) = 0.620, P = 0.175). Conclusions. uNGAL cannot be used for screening of the duration of inflammation during UTI. Accuracy of KIM-1 in screening of AKI development in children with UTI is low. We suggest larger studies to check the negative predictive value of KIM-1 for the development of AKI

Oxidative status parameters in children with urinary tract infection

Introduction: Urinary tract infection (UTI) is one of the most common bacterial infectious diseases in children. The aim of this study was to determine the total prooxidant and antioxidant capacity of children with UTI, as well as changes of oxidative status parameters according to acute inflammation persistence and acute kidney injury (AKI) development. Materials and methods: The patients enrolled in the study comprised 50 Caucasian children (median age was 6 months) with UTI. Total oxidant status (TOS), total antioxidant status (TAS), oxidative stress index (OSI), inflammation marker C-reactive protein (CRP) and renal function parameters urea and creatinine were analyzed in patient's serums. Results: According to duration of inflammation during UTI, TAS values were significantly higher (0.99 vs. 0.58 mmol/L, P = 0.017) and OSI values were significantly lower (0.032 vs. 0.041 AU, P = 0.037) in the subjects with longer duration of inflammation than in the subjects with shorter duration of inflammation. We did not find significant difference in basal values of oxidative status parameters according to AKI development. Conclusions: OSI values could detect the simultaneous change of TAS and TOS due to change in the oxidative-antioxidant balance during the recovery of children with UTI. TAS and OSI as markers of oxidative stress during UTI are sensitive to accompanying inflammatory condition. Further investigations are needed to evaluate whether TAS, TOS and OSI could be used to monitor disease severity in children with UTI

Association of Myeloperoxidase and the Atherogenic Index of Plasma in Children with End-Stage Renal Disease

Background: The aim of this study was to explore oxidative stress status, especially the enzyme myeloperoxidase in children with end-stage renal disease. Also, we investigated possible associations between the atherogenic index of plasma and these parameters. Methods: Lipid status parameters, oxidative stress status parameters, and myeloperoxidase concentration were measured in the sera of 20 children in the last stage of chronic renal disease (ESRD) and 35 healthy children of matching age and sex. The Atherogenic Index of Plasma (AIP) was calculated according to the appropriate equation. Results: We did not find any significant differences in myeloperoxidase concentrations between the investigated groups (p = 0.394). Oxidative stress parameters were, however, significantly higher in the patient group (p lt 0.001), as well as the atherogenic index of plasma (p lt 0.001). Myelo per oxidase concentration and advanced oxidation protein product (AOPP) concentration were independently associated with increased AIP in the patient group (p lt 0.05). Conclusions: Changes in AIP in children with ERSD are associated with the oxidative stress status and myeloper oxidase concentration

Alterations of HDL Particles in Children with End-Stage Renal Disease

Background: Unfavorable lipid profile presents one of most important risk factor for cardiovascular disease in renal pathology. Myeloperoxidase (MPO) as enzyme which oxidizes lipoproteins and paraoxonase1 (PON1) as anti-oxidative enzyme have been involved in pathogenesis of cardiovascular disease. In the present study we sought to assess oxidative stress status, lipoprotein subclasses distribution as well as functionality of high density lipoprotein (HDL) trough MPO/PON1 ratio in children with chronic kidney disease (CKD) and children after renal transplantation. Methods: PON1 activity and oxidative stress parameters were measured spectrophotometrically, while MPO concentration was determined using immunoassay. Separation of lipoprotein subclasses was performed by vertical gradient gel electrophoresis in 19 children with different stage of CKD and 19 post-transplantation patients (PT). Results: CKD patients had increased MPO/PON1 ratio and higher prevalence of smaller HDL subclasses when compared to PT subjects. Also, there was a significant positive correlation between MPO level and MPO/PON1 ratio with relative proportion of smaller HDL subclasses. Conclusions: Children with CKD have impaired HDL distribution that is improved after kidney transplantation. Since that measurement of HDL distribution and functionality arenot routinely available, MPO/PON1 ratio may be useful marker that could provide necessary information

Rezistin, inflamacija i dislipidemija kod gojazne dece i adolescenata

Introduction: Childhood obesity is related to cardiovascular diseases and diabetes mellitus type 2 in later life. Resistin, an adipokine primarily secreted by monocytes and tissue macrophages in humans, is considered to be associated with these conditions. The Aim: To examine the correlations between resistin concentration and anthropometric parameters, lipid status, inflammatory markers and parameters of insulin resistance in obese children and adolescents. Material and Methods: The study included 66 patients (40 boys, 26 girls), which underwent anthropometric measuring and laboratory testing (glucose level, total cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-cholesterol), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-cholesterol), triglycerides, uric acid, high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP) and glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c). Insulin resistance was estimated with HOMA-IR (homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance). Results: We determined that 63.3% of our patients had dyslipidemia, while hsCRP and uric acid levels suggested an ongoing inflammation. We established that there was a correlation between resistin concentration and waist to hip ratio (WHR) (r=0.294, p lt 0.05), as well as between resistin concentration and HOMA-IR (r=0.293, p lt 0.05). Also, uric acid levels correlated with obesity parameters. While comparing parameters by gender we found a significant difference in height (p lt 0.01), WHR (p lt 0.001), uric acid levels (p lt 0.01) and HOMA-IR (p lt 0.01). Conclusion: Our results show a link between obesity, inflammation and dyslipidemia in children and adolescents. In the future, resistin could become a significant clinical marker for evaluation of cardiometabolic risk.Uvod: Gojaznost u dečjem uzrastu se povezuje sa razvojem kardiovaskularnih bolesti i tipa 2 dijabetes melitusa u kasnijem dobu. Smatra se da je rezistin, adipokin kojeg u humanom organizumu luče monociti i tkivne makrofage, povezan sa ovim poremećajima. Cilj: Ispitati povezanost koncentracije rezistina kod gojazne dece i adolescenata sa antropometrijskim parametrima gojaznosti, lipidnim statusom, inflamatornim markerima i parametrima insulinske rezistencije. Materijal i metode: U istraživanju je učestvovalo 66 ispitanika (40 dečaka, 26 devojčica) kojima su izvršena antropometrijska merenja i laboratorijska ispitivanja (koncentracije glukoze, ukupnog holesterola, holesterola u česticama lipoproteina visoke gustine (eng. high-density lipoprotein, HDL) i niske gustine (eng. low-density lipoprotein, LDL), triglicerida, mokraćne kiseline, visokoosetljivog C-reaktivnog proteina (high-sensitivity C-reactive protein; hsCRP) i glikoziliranog hemoglobina (HbA1c)). Insulinska rezistencija je procenjena na osnovu modela za izračunavanje indeksa insulinske rezistencije (eng. homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance; HOMA-IR). Rezultati: Kod 63,3% ispitanika utvrdili smo prisutnu dislipidemiju, a dobijene vrednosti hsCRP i mokraćne kiseline ukazuju na prisustvo inflamacije. Utvrdili smo korelaciju između koncentracije rezistina i odnosa obima struka i kukova (r=0,294, p lt 0,05) i između koncentracije rezistina i HOMA-IR (r=0,293, p lt 0,05). Ustanovili smo povezanost koncentracije mokraćne kiseline i parametara gojaznosti. Upoređivanjem parametara između polova, značajna razlika postoji u telesnoj visini (p lt 0,01), odnosu obima struka i kukova (p lt 0,001), mokraćnoj kiselini (p lt 0,01) i HOMA-IR (p lt 0,01). Zaključak: Naši rezultati ukazuju na povezanost gojaznosti, inflamacije i dislipidemije kod dece i adolescenata. Rezistin bi u budućnosti mogao biti značajan za procenu kardiometaboličkog rizika u ovoj populaciji

Associations of Apgar score and size at birth with lipoprotein subclasses in juvenile obesity

N Background/aim: Juvenile obesity is associated with several metabolic abnormalities, one of them being atherogenic dyslipidemia. Suboptimal fetal growth is associated with obesity risk in childhood, but also with increased rate of metabolic diseases in later life. This study investigated associations of neonatal data (Apgar score, birth weight and birth length) with low-density lipoprotein and high-density lipoprotein (LDL and HDL) subclasses in a group of obese children, as well as a possible impact of breastfeeding duration on obesity-associated lipoprotein subclasses distributions. Materials and methods: We included 42 obese children, aged 14.2 +/- 2.1 years. LDL and HDL subfractions were separated by gradient gel electrophoresis and biochemical parameters were assessed by routine methods. Results: Compared with obese children with Apgar >= 9, the group with Apgar lt 9 had significantly higher percentages of small, dense LDL particles (P lt 0.05), due to reduced LDL I (P lt 0.01) and increased LDL III subclasses (P lt 0.05). Birth weight was positively associated with the proportions of LDL I particles (P lt 0.001), whereas birth height positively correlated with the amount of HDL 2b subclasses (P lt 0.05). The group of never or less than 3 months breastfed children had significantly smaller LDL size (P lt 0.01) and lower proportion of HDL 2a particles (P lt 0.05) than their >= 3 months breastfed peers. Conclusion: The results showed significant associations of neonatal characteristics with LDL and HDL particle distributions in obese children. In addition, our results point toward positive aspects of longer breastfeeding duration on lipoprotein particle distributions in obese children