Uticaj polimorfizma Fokl gena za vitamin D receptor i TNFa-308 gena za faktor nekroze tumora na težinu i ishod bolesti kod dece sa juvenilnim idiopatskim artritisom

Оur main objective was to investigate possible influence of tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α-308) and FokI Vitamin D receptor (VDR) gene polymorphism on long term disease outcome in JIA patients treated with biologics. We have retrospectively analyzed data from our registry of JIA patients treated with biologics in whom 6 years follow-up data could be obtained and genomic deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) extracted to test TNF-α–308 promoter and FokI VDR polymorphism. Disease activity was evaluated by ACR Pedi core set criteria for inactive disease. Among 78 JIA patients was not significant distribution difference of TNF-α-308 and FokI VDR gene polymorphism among different JIA subtypes. Patients with -308 GG (p=0,004) and GA (p=0,026) genotype achieved clinical response significantly more frequently than those with the -308 AA genotype after 36 month of follow up period. Patients with FF (p=0,006) and Ff (p=0,036) genotypes had a reduction of disease activity and more frequently reached clinical response to biologics with respect to the ff genotype at the end of the observational period. There was no influence of distribution of the -308 TNF-α on achieving remission, but there was different distribution of FokI polymorphism on possibility to achieve remission at the end of the observational period. Patients resistant to biologics had significantly more frequent ff genotype, while those achieved remission had significantly more frequent Ff genotype (χ2=6,52, p=0,038). JIA patients carrying TNF-α-308 AA genotype and those with VDR ff genotype despite biological treatment, have lesser chance to achieve remission

The politics of heritage in the West Balkans: the evolution of nation-building and the invention of national narratives as a consequence of political changes

The growth of a nation-state in the 19th century led to the protection of heritage as a distinct discipline. Initially, the prime objective was physical protection and conservation of archaeological and architectural monuments valued for their aesthetic and historic importance. However, the 20th century practice of imposing nationalist ideas onto communities and cultures which share the same territory, but not religion and/or language, brought into prominence a discipline of heritage management. One of the main characteristics of heritage management is its interpretation in national terms which, when used for nation-building purposes, often becomes the subject of contested grand narratives; i.e. ethnically, religiously and socially divisive tool in the hands of political elites interested in securing and maintaining their powers. Historical changes of political systems and state ideologies, however, witnessed the lasting impact on the interpretation of heritage over la longue durée, almost always with negative outcomes. The Wars of Yugoslav Succession during the 1990s resulted not only in the creation of new nation-states, but also their own new national narratives and languages, often rooted in flagrant revisionism of the interpretation of historical sources and surviving heritage. This thesis examines the evolution of national narratives in five ex- Yugoslav republics and Albania from the time of their individual inception until the present. It employs chronologically juxtaposed nation-building processes in the observed states and points to the differences in interpretation which usually coincided with changes of political systems. It also highlights the contemporary interpretations of the heritage as understood by both local and international researchers and publicists, affected by the surrounding political atmosphere. It explores the destruction, vandalism, and “culturcide” and their condemnations and justifications by the media and biased scholarship. The thesis also points to the negative influence of the external political factors in heritage management through the extensive production of poorly and/or partially researched publications. Finally, it concludes that the (re)interpretation of heritage is a recurring process, which will be employed every time when the balance of power in Europe changes and almost always with detrimental consequences for the local population

Psychometric properties of the Serbian version of the Wechsler adult intelligence scale: Fourth edition (WAIS-IV)

Četvrta revizija Vekslerove skale za procenu inteligencije kod odraslih (WAIS-IV) je klinički instrument koji se zadaje individualno i koji je konstruisan za procenu intelektualnih sposobnosti adolescenata i odraslih. WAIS-IV se sastoji od 15 suptestova (10 sržnih i 5 dopunskih) koji procenjuju kognitivno funkcionisanje u četiri domena - verbalno razumevanje (eng. verbal comprehension - VCI), perceptivno rezonovanje (eng. perceptual reasoning - PRI), radna memorija (eng. working memory - WMI) i brzina procesiranja (eng. processing speed - PSI), kao i opštu intelektualnu sposobnost (eng. Full-Scale IQ - FSIQ). WAIS-IV je zadat uzorku od 262 ispitanika: 104 ispitanika iz uzorka koji je reprezentativan za širu oblast Beograda, 62 ispitanika sa dijagnozom shizofrenije, 63 sa dijagnozom depresije i 33 ispitanika sa intelektualnim teškoćama. Psihometrijske karakteristike WAIS-IV suptestova su analizirane u okvirima teorije stavskog odgovora (eng. IRT) i klasične testne teorije (eng. CTT). Rezultati su pokazali da se IRT pouzdanost kreće od .86 (Razumevanje i Dopune) do .95 (Precrtavanje), dok je IRT pouzdanost FSIQ bila .94. Sveukupno, svi suptestovi dobro diskriminišu ispitanike duž celog kontinuuma intelektualnih sposobnosti. WAIS-IV omogućava visoko pouzdanu procenu intelektualnih sposobnosti na srpskoj populaciji.The Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale-Fourth Edition (WAIS-IV) is an individually administered clinical instrument designed for assessment of intellectual abilities of adolescents and adults. The WAIS-IV consists of 15 subtests (10 core and 5 supplemental) reflecting the efficacy of cognitive functioning in four domains (verbal comprehension-VCI, perceptual reasoning-PRI, working memory-WMI, and processing speed-PSI), and general intellectual ability (Full-Scale IQ-FSIQ). The WAIS-IV was administered to a sample of 262 respondents - specifically, 104 respondents from sample representative for the wider Belgrade area, 62 schizophrenic, 63 depressive, and 33 patients with intellectual disability. Psychometric properties of WAIS-IV subtests were analysed within the frameworks Item Response Theory (IRT) and Classical Test Theory (CTT). Results show that IRT reliability of subtests ranges from .86 (Comprehension and Picture Completion) to .95 (Cancellation), while the IRT reliability of the FSIQ is .94. Overall, all subtests discriminate participants well along the whole continuum of intellectual abilities. The WAIS-IV enables highly reliable assessment of intellectual abilities on Serbian population

Activity of gypsy moth dorsolateral neurosecretory neurons under increased rearing density

Lymantria dispar caterpillars were reared under two different rearing densities for the first three days of the 4th larval instar: 5 larvae that were kept in a Petri dish (V = 80 ml) belonged to the intense stress (D1 group); 5 larvae that were kept in a plastic cup (V = 300ml) belonged to the group exposed to less intense stress (D2 group). In the control group, single larvae were reared in a Petri dish. Morphometric changes in L1, L2 and L2’ dorsolateral neurosecretory neurons (nsn) were analyzed. After keeping 5 larvae in a Petri dish, the size of L2 neurosecretory neurons (nsn) significantly increased. Rearing 5 larvae in a plastic cup significantly increased the size of L1 nsn nuclei and the number of L2’nsn. A decrease in relative band densities in the region of molecular masses (11-15 kD) that correspond to prothoracicotropic hormones in the gypsy moth was observed in the electrophoretic profiles that were obtained after both treatments in comparison to the control group. [Acknowledgments. This study was supported by the Serbian Ministry of Education and Science (Grant No. 173027).

Experiments with RADFET dosimeter in electron-beams irradiation and numerical computation of the physical shielding factor

MOSFET electronic components are already the subject of several decades of research in various fields of dosimetry and radiation protection. Special interest appeared when these components are started to be used as dosimeters in radiotherapy with electron beams. However, if one looks much more serious in the wider scientific research horizon, all the results obtained in experiments with precisely defined energies of incident electrons can be used in other disciplines which consider the impacts spectra of cosmic radiation on electronic devices, which is especially importance for cosmic science and space research instrumentation. In this paper, one of the objectives was to examine the electrical characteristics specially designed ESAPMOS RADFET dosimeters in the experiments that were conducted on a linear accelerator installations. RADFET components are bombarded electron beams energy of 6 MeV and 8 MeV, and then are followed by changes in threshold voltage shift mean values depending on the change of absorbed dose is referred to as D(cGy) was determined in water. Conclusions performance RADFET components are more than encouraging in terms of further research to improve the linearity of the energy dependence as widely energy electrons. In the second part of the test complex structure of packaging components RADFET focus is placed on the determination of the energy deposited in layers that are of interest for the analysis of microscopic processes related to the recombination of radiation-induced electron-hole pairs. Transport incident electrons through all the layers of structure RADFET component type ESAPMOS was carried out numerical simulations of the Monte Carlo method using the software package FOTELP-2K12. On this occasion, were taken into account all the physical processes of interaction of electrons with materials given structure. When he conquered the numerical application of mathematical and physical model for determining the value of the absorbed energy as the energy deposited per unit mass in a given layers with different materials, it could be accessed defining physical shielding factor (PSF) for a given structure RADFET components. Physical shielding factor (PSF) is defined as the ratio of absorbed dose values, which in fact means that it is equal to the energy deposited when the RADFET is shielded with protection, and the RADFET without lid. When we know the energy dependence factor for PSF of RADFET with and without armour, can be carried out and the analysis of whether and to what extent the energy required compensating the electronic components. Monte Carlo simulations were performed for the transport of incident electrons from 4 MeV, 6 MeV, 8 MeV and 12 MeV. It can be concluded that the different energy of incident electrons there is a significant influence of material Kovar on the absorbed energy in SiO2 and Si layers structure RADFET, in cases where Kovar used among other things as physical protection.Third International Conference on Radiation and Applications in Various Fields of Research, RAD 2015, June 8-12, 2015, Budva, Montenegr

Fenotipske i genetske korelacije osobina mlečnosti i tipa bikovskih majki Holštajn Frizijske rase

The study of the production capacities of cattleaimed at increase of the capacity of cattle to produce milk, milk fat and calves, greatly depends on pehotypic and genetic variability, heritability and correlation between preferable traits, as well as level of production in the population. Objective of the study was to calculate the variability, phenotypic and genetic correlation of milk and type traits by applying the method of linear scoring of cows in the nucleus herd of Holstein-Friesian bull dams and also to determine their significance in cattle selection. For all studied traits, main variation-statistical parameters were calculated by applying method of least squares: arithmetic mean, standard deviation, variation coefficient, standard error and variation interval. Negative phenotypic correlations between production of milk and type traits ranged from -0.12 (rear leg set, side view) to -0.01 (rump height and body depth) and positive from 0.03 (rear teat placement) to 0.23 (suspensory ligament). Phenotypic correlations between milk fat percentage and type traits varied in the range from -0.08 (fore teat placement) to 0.14 (rump height). Negative genetic correlations between milk production and type traits ranged from -0.11 (rear udder height) to -0.01 (rump width and dairy form), and positive from 0.03 (rear legs set, rear view) to 0.23 (suspensory ligament). Genetic correlations between the percentage of milk fat and type traits ranged from -0.15 (pelvic position) to 0.18 (rump height). Information about phenotypic and genetic correlations between milk and type traits can be of multiple significance in cow selection since it offers possibility to select heads of cattle for multiple traits at the same time.Ispitivanje proizvodnih kapaciteta goveda u cilju povećanja proizvodnje mleka, mlečne masti i broja teladi, u velikoj meri zavisi od fenotipske i genetske varijabilnosti, heritabiliteta i povezanosti poželjnih osobina, kao i nivoa proizvodnje u populaciji. Cilj ovih istraživanja bio je da se u nukleus zapatu bikovskih majki holštajn frizijske rase primenom linearnog metoda ocenjivanja krava izračuna varijabilnost, fenotipska i genetska povezanost osobina mlečnosti i tipa, i njihov značaj u selekciji goveda. Za sve ispitivane osobine primenom metoda najmanjih kvadrata izračunati su osnovni varijaciono-statistički parametri: aritmetička sredina, standardna devijacija, koeficijenti varijacije, standardna greška i interval varijacije. Negativne fenotipske korelacije između proizvodnje mleka i osobina tipa kretale su se u intervalu od -0.12 (položaj zadnjih nogu sa strane) do -0.01 (visina krsta i dubina tela), a pozitivne od 0.03 (položaj zadnjih sisa) do 0.23 (centralni ligament). Fenotipske korealacije između procenta mlečne masti i osobina tipa kretale su se u intervalu od -0.08 (pozicija prednjih sisa) do 0.14 (visina krsta). Negativne genetske korelacije između proizvodnje mleka i osobina tipa varirale su u razmaku od -0.11 (visina zadnjeg vimena) do -0.01 (širina karlice i mlečne karakteristike), a pozitivne od 0.03 (položaj zadnjih nogu otpozadi) do 0.23 (centralni ligament). Genetske korealacije između procenta mlečne masti i osobina tipa kretale su se u intervalu od -0.15 (položaj karlice) do 0.18 (visina krsta). Postojanje informacija o fenotipskim i genetskim korelacijama između osobina mlečnosti i tipa, može imati višestruki značaj u selekciji krava, jer pruža mogućnost odabira grla na više osobina istovremeno

Evaluacija kriterijuma za dijagnozu atopijskog dermatitisa i detekcija alergen specifičnih IgE antitela kod pasa alergičnih na polen biljke Ambrosia artemisiifolia

Common ragweed (Ambrosia atremisiifolia) is one of the most frequent causes of pollen-induced allergic reactions both in humans and dogs. It has not been defined yet, what is the major allergen(s) to which most dogs allergic to ragweed show a positive result on intradermal skin test (IDST). In the present study sensitization to Ambrosia artemisiifolia pollen allergens in dogs with atopic dermatitis was examined with both in vivo and in vitro tests, including IDST and serum allergen specific IgE test. Detection of specific-IgE antibodies against ragweed allergens by immunoblotting in the sera of allergic dogs was optimized, as well. Dogs that were positive, as judged by IDST reactions to ragweed pollen allergens, also had alergen specific IgE antibodies in their sera. Results indicate that major allergens of A. artemisifolia pollen in dogs are Amb a 1 and Amb a 2. Further characterization of ragweed allergens is needed before they could potentially be used in intradermal testing or allergen immunotherapy in affected dogs. Also, we evaluated new Favrots diagnostic criteria for canine atopic dermatitis in dogs allergic to Ambrosia atremisiifolia pollen. It might be concluded that proposed criteria are of great assistance for seting up suspected diagnosis of canine atopic dermatitis, after ruling out other pruritic dermatoses.Kratka ambrozija (Ambrosia artemisiifolia) je jedan od najčešćih uzročnika alergijskih reakcija izazvanih polenom kod ljudi i pasa. Još uvek nije definisano koji je glavni alergen (i), na koji, većina pasa alergičnih na polen ambrozije, ispoljava pozitivnu reakciju na intradermalnom testu. U ovoj studiji je ispitana senzibilizacija na polen ove biljke kod pasa sa simptomima atopijskog dermatitisa in vivo i in vitro testovima, uključujući intradermalni test i dokazivanje prisustva alergen specifičnih IgE antitela u serumu. Optimizovani su uslovi za detekciju IgE specifičnih antitela iz seruma pasa alergičnih na polen ambrozije imunoblot tehnikom. Psi koji su imali pozitivnu reakciju na polen ove biljke na intradermalnom testu, takođe su imali specifična IgE antitela u serumu. Dobijeni rezultati ukazuju da su glavni alergeni Ambrosia artemisiifolia kod pasa Amb a 1 i Amb a 2. Neophodna je dalja karakterizacija alergena ambrozije kako bi se oni mogli primeniti pri rutinskom intradermalnom testiranju ili u alergen specifičnoj imunoterapiji obolelih pasa. Takođe je razmatrana i validnost Favrotovih dijagnostičkih kriterijuma kod pasa alergičnih na polen ambrozije. Može se zaključiti da su predloženi kriterijumi od velike pomoći u postavljanju suspektne dijagnoze atopijskog dermatitisa pasa, nakon isključenja drugih pruritičnih dermatoza

Changes in Lymantria dispar protocerebral neurosecretory neurons after exposure to cadmium

Gypsy moth 4th instar caterpillars were fed for 3 days with an artificial diet supplemented with increasing cadmium (Cd) concentrations (0, 10, 30, 100 and 250 μg⁄g of dry food weight). Changes in the morphometric characteristics of A1' dorso-medial and L2 dorso-lateral neurosecretory neurons (nsn) were analyzed. In the A1' nsn, Cd supplements led to an enhanced nuclear size, except in the group treated with 250 μg Cd⁄g in the form of dry food. The size of L2 type nsn was increased in the groups provided with 30 and 100 μg Cd⁄g, while no differences in the size of nuclei was detected in L2 neurons among the experimental groups.Projekat ministarstva br. 7302

Čvrste disperzije sa karbamazepinom: Optimizacija formulacija, karakterizacija i ispitivanje dugoročne stabilnosti

Solid dispersions are defined as dispersions of one or more active pharmaceutical ingredients in inert solid-state carriers. They are made with the aim to increase solubility and the dissolution rate of low solubility active pharmaceutical ingredients, with the subsequent increase in their bioavailability. The aim of this study was the development and optimization of solid dispersion formulations with carbamazepine, using D-optimal experimental design, in order to increase the dissolution rate of the selected model drug. By using the method of experimental mixture design, solid dispersions were formulated by varying the ratio of carbamazepine (30-50 %), Gelucire® 44/14 (20-40 %) and Soluplus® polymer (30-50 %) (input parameters). Sixteen formulations were made and used for in vitro testing of the carbamazepine dissolution rate. The observed output parameters were the percentages of carbamazepine released after 10, 20, 30, 45, and 60 minutes. After the data analysis, three test formulations were chosen from different parts of the optimization area. They were prepared and the carbamazepine dissolution rate was determined, followed by stability assessment for 24 months under ambient conditions (25 °C, 40 % RH). The highest dissolution rate of carbamazepine from solid dispersions (more than 80 % in 30 minutes) was achieved at the carbamazepine mass fraction of about 40 %, Soluplus® of about 45 % and Gelucire® 44/14 of about 25 %. Comparing the predicted and the experimental obtained release rate profiles of carbamazepine from the three prepared optimized formulations, a significant compliance of the results was observed (f1<15; f2 >50). The application of the PAMPA (Parallel Artificial-Membrane Permeability Assay) test has shown that carbamazepine premeability was maintained and mildly increased in two out of the three tested optimzed solid state formulations. Raman spectroscopy, FT-IR and DSC analyes showed that in the three optimized solid dispersions, after preparation and 24 months of storage, interactions between carbamazepine and the excipients were not present and that carbamazepine remained in the single pharmacologically active crystal polymorph form III. Proper selection of solid dispersion proportions of carbamazepine, Gelucire® 44/14 and Soluplus® may significantly increase the dissolution rate of the active substance, and the method of experimental mixture design can be successfully used for optimization of these formulations

Uticaj genetskih i negenetskih faktora na proizvodne osobine krava simentalske rase

This study covered 737 controlled first calving Simmental cows with, lactations concluded within one year. All first calving animals were on the farms of individual farmers in the municipalities of Kragujevac and Mladenovac. The research included the influence of bull sires, year and season of calving on milk yield and fertility. Least squares method was used to determine the average duration of lactation of 323.74 days. For a period of 305 days, heifers produced 3701.67 kg of milk, or 3644.58 kg of 4% FCM. The average production of milk fat was 144.26 kg and milk fat content was 3.88%. The interval from calving to first insemination lasted in average 124.19 days, and the animals were first calved at the age of 789.95 days. The bull sires had a highly significant effect (P (lt) 0.01) on the duration of lactation, milk yield and 4% FCM, milk fat yield and content and age of cows at first calving. The duration of service period was not under significant effect (P>0.05) of bull sires. Year of calving had a significant effect (P (lt) 0.01) on the duration of lactation, production of milk, milk fat and 4% FCM. Milk fat content, service period and age at first calving did not show significant variation due to the impact of different years of calving (P>0.05). Season of calving of cows demonstrated highly significant effect (P (lt) 0.01) on the production of milk and 4% FCM, and significant (P>0.05) on the production of milk fat, however it had no effect (P>0.05) on the milk fat content, duration of lactation and service period and age at calving.Ovim istraživanjem je obuhvaćeno 737 kontrolisanih prvotelki simentalske rase, sa laktacijama zaključenim u toku jedne godine. Sve prvotelke su se nalazile na imanjima individualnih poljoprivrednih proizvođača. Istraživanja su obuhvatila uticaj bikova očeva, godine i sezone telenja na osobine mlečnosti i plodnosti. Metodom najmanjih kvadrata ustanovljeno je prosečno trajanje laktacije od 323,74 dana. Za vremenski period od 305 dana prvotelke su proizvele 3.701,67 kg mleka, odnosno, korigovano na 4%MKM 3.644,58 kg. Prosečna proizvodnja mlečne masti iznosila je 144,26 kg a sadržaj mlečne masti 3,88%. Interval od telenja do prve inseminacije trajao je u proseku 124,19 dana, a grla su se prvi put telila u uzrastu od 789,95 dana. Bikovi-očevi su imali visoko signifikantan uticaj (P (lt) 0,01) na trajanje laktacije, prinos mleka i 4%MKM, proizvodnju i sadržaj mlečne masti i uzrast krava pri prvom telenju. Na dužinu servis perioda bikovi-očevi nisu ispoljili značajnije dejstvo (P>0,05). Godina telenja imala je visoko značajan uticaj (P (lt) 0,01) na trajanje laktacije, proizvodnju mleka, mlečne masti i 4%MKM. Sadržaj mlečne masti, trajanje servis perioda i uzrast pri prvom telenju nisu pokazali značajnija variranja usled uticaja različitih godina telenja (P>0,05). Sezona telenja krava je visoko značajno uticala (P (lt) 0,01) na proizvodnju mleka i 4%MKM, značajno (P>0,05) na proizvodnju mlečne masti, a na sadržaj mlečne masti, trajanje laktacije i servis perioda, uzrast pri telenju nije imala značajnijeg uticaja (P>0,05)