The significance of non-invasive advanced MRI techniques in evaluation of renal allograft function

Uvod: Perfuzija predstavlja protok krvi u kapilarnom koritu koji određuje dopremanje nutrijenata i kiseonika tkivu, a u bubrezima reguliše stepen glomerulske filtracije (GFR) kao centralnu meru bubrežne funkcije. Razvoj neinvazivne i pouzdane metode za merenje bubrežne perfuzije koja bi oslikavala GFR bi značajno unapredila pravovremeno otkrivanje oštećenja alografta. Cilj: Utvrđivanje kod kojih pedijatrijskih pacijenata alograft ima oštećenu funkciju merenjem kortikalne bubrežne perfuzije (cRBF), uz upoređivanje sa perfuzijom zdravih kontrola korišćenjem tehnike obeležavanja spinova u arterijskoj krvi magnetnom rezonancom (ASL-MRI). Metodologija: Kod 20 pacijenata sa alograftom i 20 zdravih kontrola je izveden ASL-MRI u cilju kvantifikacije cRBF na parametarskim mapama. cRBF je korelirana sa izračunatim GFR kod alografta i upoređivana među grupama pacijenata sa očuvanom (GFR≥60 mL/min/1.73m2) i oštećenom (GFR<60 mL/min/1.73m2) funkcijom, a zatim i sa zdravim kontrolama. Rezultati: cRBF kod pacijenata sa alograftom je bila u rasponu između 85 i 335ml/100gr/min (prosečno 190.05 ± 67.62 mL/100 g/min). Prosečna cRBF kod pacijenata sa dobrom funkcijom je bila značajno višа nego kod pacijenata sa lošom (225.91±64.38mL/min/100g vs. 146.22±41.84mL/min/100g, p=0.005), uz značajnu korelaciju sa GFR kod svih pacijenata (r=0.64, p=0.002). Kod zdravih se prosečan cRBF razlikovao u odnosu na pacijente sa oštećenom funkcijom (322.00±121.36vs. 146.22±41.84ml/100gr/min, p=0.002) dok se nije razlikovao u odnosu na pacijente sa stabilnom funkcijom (322.00±121.36vs.225.91±64.38ml/100gr/min, p=0.056). Zaključak: Neinvazivno izmerena kortikalna bubrežna perfuzija ASL-MRI metodom se razlikuje između pacijenata sa očuvanom i oštećenom funkcijom alografta, sa kojom značajno korelira.Background: Perfusion represents a blood flow at the level of the tissue capillary bed and determines the delivery of nutrients and oxygen, while in kidneys regulates glomerular filtration rate (GFR), as a central measure of renal function. The development of a non-invasive and reliable method for renal perfusion estimation that would reflect GFR would significantly improve on-time identification of potential allograft injury. Aim: Discrimination of renal allografts with impaired function by measuring cortical renal blood flow (cRBF) in pediatric patients, as well as a comparison with cRBF values of healthy controls using magnetic resonance imaging arterial spin labelling (ASL-MRI). Methods: We performed ASL-MRI in 20 allograft patients and 20 healthy controls to calculate cRBF on parameter maps. It was correlated to calculated GFR in allografts and compared between patient groups with good (GFR≥60 mL/min/1.73m2) and impaired allograft function (GFR<60 mL/min/1.73m2) as well as with healthy controls. Results: cRBF in patient group ranged between 85 and 335 mL/100 g/min (mean 190.05 ± 67.62 mL/100 g/min). Mean cRBF in patients with good allograft function was significantly higher than in patients with impaired function (225.91±64.38 vs. 146.22±41.84 mL/min/100g, p=0.005), showing a highly significant correlation with GFR in all subjects (r=0.64, p=0.002). In healthy controls mean cRBF was significantly higher than in patients with poor allograft function (322.00±121.36 vs. 146.22±41.84 ml/100gr/min, p=0.002) and showed no difference to patients with stable function (322.00±121.36 vs. 225.91±64.38 ml/100gr/min, p=0.056). Conclusion: Cortical perfusion as non-invasively measured by ASL-MRI differs between patients with good and impaired allograft function and correlates significantly with its function

Etika i marketing u estetskoj stomatologiji

Contemporary dentistry is, first of all, characterized by diverse accelerated development, owing to improvements of information and other technologies, as well as the development of dental materials (shape-memory biomaterials, nanomaterials, biomaterials for application in tissue engineering, etc.). Expert doctrinaire attitudes move from the direction of operative interventions, whereby disease and acute symptoms are primarily treated, towards the strengthening of oral health by minimally invasive procedures. A particular place in patients’ total rehabilitation belongs to numerous esthetic procedures which, to a large extent, make up a wants-based service, led by the patients’ needs and affinities. This paper deals with differences between cosmetic and esthetic dentistry. The complexity of esthetic dentistry, which favors therapy with the change of function parameters in care for the patient, is emphasized. On the other hand, more attention is paid to the need to know and respect ethical and marketing principles that follow any activity of dentists, starting from the first contact with the patient, the selection of certified materials, to the implementation of the appropriate treatment plan. Well-directed communication and comprehensive awareness of the patient, the use of the visual analog scale, consideration of realistic resources in therapy, and the acceptance of de Bono model of adopted parallel thinking are determinants which help dentists define a problem adequately, find quality solutions, open alternative solutions, and reduce the potential risks in patients’ therapy.Današnju stomatologiju karakteriše ubrzani razvoj zahvaljujući unapređenju informacionih i drugih tehnologija, kao i razvoju dentalnih materijala (biomaterijali sa memorisanim oblikom, nanomaterijali, biomaterijali za primenu u tkivnom inženjeringu i dr.). Stručni doktrinarni stavovi kreću se iz pravca operativnih intervencija, kojima se primarno saniraju bolest i akutni simptomi, ka jačanju oralnog zdravlja malo invazivnim postupcima. Posebno mesto u sveukupnoj rehabilitaciji bolesnika pripada brojnim estetskim procedurama, koje u velikoj meri čine praksu vođenu potrebama i afi- nitetima bolesnika. U radu se diskutuje o razlikama u poimanju kozmetske i estetske stomatologije. Naglašena je složenost estetske stomatologije, koja daje prednost terapiji sa promenom funkcijskih parametara u zbrinjavanju bolesnika. S druge strane, akcenat se stavlja na potrebu poznavanja i poštovanja etičkih i marketinških načela koja prate svaku aktivnost lekara, počev od prvog kontakta sa bolesnikom, odabira sertifikovanog materijala do realizacije odgovarajućeg terapijskog plana. Dobro usmerena komunikacija i sveobuhvatna informisanost bolesnika, upotreba VAS skale, kao i sagledavanje realnih resursa u terapiji odrednice su koje pomažu stomatologu da definiše problem na pravi način, iznađe kvalitetna rešenja, otvori alternativne solucije i smanji moguće rizike u terapiji bolesnika

Impregnacija želatin-hitozan filmova etarskim uljem karanfilića pomoću natkritičnog co2 i njihova karakterizacija

Supercritical CO2 impregnation process was used for the first time to fabricate biodegradable gelatin-chitosan (G/Ch) films containing clove oil (CO) for potential use in active food packaging. All the impregnations were carried out at moderately low temperature (40 °C). Aiming to maximize CO loading in the films with acceptable morphological, structural and thermal properties, CO2 pressure, impregnation time and G:Ch mass ratio were varied. Gelatin fraction in the films of 25-50 wt.%, scCO2 pressures of 10-20 MPa and impregnation time of 2-6 h impregnation favoured the CO loading. Processing of the film with equal gelatin to chitosan mass ratio (G/Ch50:50) at 10 MPa for 2 h yielded sufficiently high loading (56 mg CO/gfilm) without an adverse effect on morphological properties. The G/Ch50:50 film was therefore chosen for structural and thermal analyses. ATR-FTIR analysis confirmed successful CO incorporation into the G/Ch50:50 and its interaction with the film. Plasticizing effect of scCO2 and CO on the film was evidenced by DSC. Incorporation of 56 mg CO/gfilm into the G/Ch50:50 didn't affect thermal stability of the film. Beside environmental benefits, supercritical impregnation process enables fast fabrication of G/Ch bio-composite films containing CO, thermally stable to 110 °C, which is suitable for most of food packaging applications. © 2019, CI and CEQ. All rights reserved

Multiple myeloma invasion of the central nervous system

Introduction. Multiple myeloma (MM) is characterized by the presence of neoplastic proliferating plasma cells. The tumor is generally restricted to the bone marrow. The most common complications include renal insufficiency, hypercalcemia, anemia and reccurent infections. The spectrum of MM neurological complications is diverse, however, involvement of MM in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and leptomeningeal infiltration are rare considered. In about 1% of the cases, the disease affects the central nervous system (CNS) and presents itself in the form of localized intraparenchymal lesions, solitary cerebral plasmocytoma or CNS myelomatosis (LMM). Case report. We presented the clinical course of a 55-year-old man with MM and LMM proven by malignant plasma cells in the CSF, hospitalized with the pain in the thoracic spine. His medical history was uneventful. There had been no evidence of mental or neurological impairment prior to the seizures. Physical examination showed no abnormalities. After a complete staging, the diagnosis of MM type biclonal gammopathia IgG lambda and free lambda light chains in the stage III was confirmed. The treatment started with systemic chemotherapy (with vincristine, doxorubicin plus high-dose dexamethasone - VAD protocol), radiotherapy and bisphosphonate. The patient developed weakness, nausea, febrility, dispnea, bilateral bronchopneumonia, acute renal insufficiency, confusions, headaches and soon thereafter sensomotor aphasias and right hemiparesis. The patient was treated with the adequate therapy including one hemodyalisis. His neurological status was deteriorated, so Multislice Computed Tomography (MSCT) of the head was performed and the findings were normal. Analysis of CSF showed pleocytosis, 26 elements/ mL and increased concentrations of proteins. Cytological analysis revealed an increased number of plasma cells (29%). Electrophoretic analysis of proteins disclosed the existance of monoclonal components in the serum, urine and CSF. Immunofixation electrophoretic and quantitative nephelometric tests confirmed Biclonal multiple myeloma of IgG lambda and light chain lambda isotypes. Analysis of neurothropic viruses with ELISA methods was negative. Once the presence of LMM was confirmed, the patient received intrathecal chemotherapy with methotrexate, cytosine arabinoside, dexamethasone three times a week, and systemic high doses of dexamethasone iv like a single agent without craniospinale irradiations. Despite the treatment, the patient died one month after the diagnosis. Autopsy was not performed. Conclusion. Presented patient, as well as most other patients with MM progressing to CNS infiltration was in the stage III. In addition to the detailed clinical examination, and all investigations required for MM diagnosis and staging of the disease, we introduced the additional CSF examination and calculation of kappa lambda ratio, that helped us make an early diagnosis and prognosis of MM with LMM. Although LMM had a low prevalence, it could be more frequent than expected especially in patients with high risk. CSF examination with positive plasma cells and abnormal morphology remains the hallmark for diagnosing CNS infiltration

Multiple myeloma invasion of the central nervous system

Introduction. Multiple myeloma (MM) is characterized by the presence of neoplastic proliferating plasma cells. The tumor is generally restricted to the bone marrow. The most common complications include renal insufficiency, hypercalcemia, anemia and reccurent infections. The spectrum of MM neurological complications is diverse, however, involvement of MM in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and leptomeningeal infiltration are rare considered. In about 1% of the cases, the disease affects the central nervous system (CNS) and presents itself in the form of localized intraparenchymal lesions, solitary cerebral plasmocytoma or CNS myelomatosis (LMM). Case report. We presented the clinical course of a 55-year-old man with MM and LMM proven by malignant plasma cells in the CSF, hospitalized with the pain in the thoracic spine. His medical history was uneventful. There had been no evidence of mental or neurological impairment prior to the seizures. Physical examination showed no abnormalities. After a complete staging, the diagnosis of MM type biclonal gammopathia IgG lambda and free lambda light chains in the stage III was confirmed. The treatment started with systemic chemotherapy (with vincristine, doxorubicin plus high-dose dexamethasone - VAD protocol), radiotherapy and bisphosphonate. The patient developed weakness, nausea, febrility, dispnea, bilateral bronchopneumonia, acute renal insufficiency, confusions, headaches and soon thereafter sensomotor aphasias and right hemiparesis. The patient was treated with the adequate therapy including one hemodyalisis. His neurological status was deteriorated, so Multislice Computed Tomography (MSCT) of the head was performed and the findings were normal. Analysis of CSF showed pleocytosis, 26 elements/ mL and increased concentrations of proteins. Cytological analysis revealed an increased number of plasma cells (29%). Electrophoretic analysis of proteins disclosed the existance of monoclonal components in the serum, urine and CSF. Immunofixation electrophoretic and quantitative nephelometric tests confirmed Biclonal multiple myeloma of IgG lambda and light chain lambda isotypes. Analysis of neurothropic viruses with ELISA methods was negative. Once the presence of LMM was confirmed, the patient received intrathecal chemotherapy with methotrexate, cytosine arabinoside, dexamethasone three times a week, and systemic high doses of dexamethasone iv like a single agent without craniospinale irradiations. Despite the treatment, the patient died one month after the diagnosis. Autopsy was not performed. Conclusion. Presented patient, as well as most other patients with MM progressing to CNS infiltration was in the stage III. In addition to the detailed clinical examination, and all investigations required for MM diagnosis and staging of the disease, we introduced the additional CSF examination and calculation of kappa lambda ratio, that helped us make an early diagnosis and prognosis of MM with LMM. Although LMM had a low prevalence, it could be more frequent than expected especially in patients with high risk. CSF examination with positive plasma cells and abnormal morphology remains the hallmark for diagnosing CNS infiltration

Black Trumpet, Craterellus cornucopioides (L.) Pers.: Culinary Mushroom with Angiotensin Converting Enzyme Inhibitory and Cytotoxic Activity

Nutritional value and chemical composition, including the content of vitamins, fatty acids, 5'-nucleotides and nucleosides and amino acids, as well as biological activities, including antioxidant, angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitory and cytotoxic activity of black trumpet (Craterellus cornucopioides (L.) Pers.) were tested in vitro. C. cornucopioides was low in energy, fat and carbohydrate contents, but rich in dietary fibre, especially β-glucan as well as niacin and α-tocopherol. The content of essential and non-essential free amino acids was 1.49 and 5.48 mg/g dry weight (dw). The nucleosides and 5'-nucleotides were determined at 1.84 and 3.99 mg/g dw, respectively. The share of unsaturated fatty acids (UFAs) was 75.92% with oleic acid as the major UFA. Cyclohexane and dichloromethane extracts expressed significant cytotoxic activity against selected cell lines, human epithelial cervical cancer cells (HeLa), adenocarcinomic human alveolar basal epithelial cells (A549), colorectal cancer cells (LS174) and normal MRC-5 human embryonic lung fibroblast cells (IC50 of 78.3-155.6 μg/mL). ACE inhibitory activity of the aqueous extract was strong with an IC50 of 0.74 μg/mL. It can be concluded that black trumpet is a good source of nutrients, such as vitamins, dietary fibres, amino acids, nucleotides and fatty acids, which contribute to the overall nutritional value of this fungus with potential for ACE inhibitory activity and use in anti-hypertensive diet

Ultrafast humidity sensor based on liquid phase exfoliated graphene

Humidity sensing is important to a variety of technologies and industries, ranging from environmental and industrial monitoring to medical applications. Although humidity sensors abound, few available solutions are thin, transparent, compatible with large-area sensor production and flexible, and almost none are fast enough to perform human respiration monitoring through breath detection or real-time finger proximity monitoring via skin humidity sensing. This work describes chemiresistive graphene-based humidity sensors produced in few steps with facile liquid phase exfoliation (LPE) followed by Langmuir-Blodgett assembly that enables active areas of practically any size. The graphene sensors provide a unique mix of performance parameters, exhibiting resistance changes up to 10% with varying humidity, linear performance over relative humidity (RH) levels between 8% and 95%, weak response to other constituents of air, flexibility, transparency of nearly 80%, and response times of 30 ms. The fast response to humidity is shown to be useful for respiration monitoring and real-time finger proximity detection, with potential applications in flexible touchless interactive panels.Comment: 18 pages, 13 figure

Biorational CO2 fumigation of sunflower and common bean: insecticidal potential and effect on seed vitality and quality

Store product pests often cause high qualitative and quantitative losses to seeds of agricultural plants during storage. Damages inflicted to a high category seed result in reduced germination that practically affects agricultural production. Therefore, it is important to control insect pests and mitigate losses in storages, but at the same time to preserve the germination potential of the seeds as well as their vitality and quality. Fumigation with CO2 is a biorational method used for controlling store product pests in a variety of commodities. Its insecticidal potential is well documented, however the information about the effect on seeds is lacking. In this work, we assessed the efficacy of CO2 fumigation and its effect on vitality (germination energy and germination) and quality (fatty acid composition) of sunflower and common bean seeds. CO2, (62, 93 and 96 %), was applied to sunflower seeds artificially infested with Plodia interpunctella larvae and common bean infested with Acanthoscelides obtectus adults, in gastight bags. The lowest concentration (62 %) caused total mortality (100 %) of P. interpunctella larvae after 7 days of exposure. The two highest CO2 concentrations caused relatively high mortality after two hours of exposure (81 and 86 %), while total mortality (100 %) was achieved after 24 h. The lowest concentration caused only 62.0 % mortality of A. obtectus after 24 h of exposure. In treatments with 93 and 96 % of CO2 mortality was 88 and 93 % after 24 h exposure, respectively. Fumigation with CO2, irrespective of concentrations, showed no adverse effect on seed germination of sunflower (97.0 to 99.5 % in all treatments) or common bean (91.3-95.3 %), or on the percentage of detectable fatty acids in sunflower seeds. However, varietal differences should be considered.This work was done as a part of activities of the Centre of Excellence for Innovations in Breeding of Climate Resilient Crops – Climate Crops, Institute of Field and Vegetable Crops, Novi Sad, Serbia

The significance of non-invasive advanced MRI techniques in evaluation of renal allograft function

Uvod: Perfuzija predstavlja protok krvi u kapilarnom koritu koji određuje dopremanje nutrijenata i kiseonika tkivu, a u bubrezima reguliše stepen glomerulske filtracije (GFR) kao centralnu meru bubrežne funkcije. Razvoj neinvazivne i pouzdane metode za merenje bubrežne perfuzije koja bi oslikavala GFR bi značajno unapredila pravovremeno otkrivanje oštećenja alografta. Cilj: Utvrđivanje kod kojih pedijatrijskih pacijenata alograft ima oštećenu funkciju merenjem kortikalne bubrežne perfuzije (cRBF), uz upoređivanje sa perfuzijom zdravih kontrola korišćenjem tehnike obeležavanja spinova u arterijskoj krvi magnetnom rezonancom (ASL-MRI). Metodologija: Kod 20 pacijenata sa alograftom i 20 zdravih kontrola je izveden ASL-MRI u cilju kvantifikacije cRBF na parametarskim mapama. cRBF je korelirana sa izračunatim GFR kod alografta i upoređivana među grupama pacijenata sa očuvanom (GFR≥60 mL/min/1.73m2) i oštećenom (GFR<60 mL/min/1.73m2) funkcijom, a zatim i sa zdravim kontrolama. Rezultati: cRBF kod pacijenata sa alograftom je bila u rasponu između 85 i 335ml/100gr/min (prosečno 190.05 ± 67.62 mL/100 g/min). Prosečna cRBF kod pacijenata sa dobrom funkcijom je bila značajno višа nego kod pacijenata sa lošom (225.91±64.38mL/min/100g vs. 146.22±41.84mL/min/100g, p=0.005), uz značajnu korelaciju sa GFR kod svih pacijenata (r=0.64, p=0.002). Kod zdravih se prosečan cRBF razlikovao u odnosu na pacijente sa oštećenom funkcijom (322.00±121.36vs. 146.22±41.84ml/100gr/min, p=0.002) dok se nije razlikovao u odnosu na pacijente sa stabilnom funkcijom (322.00±121.36vs.225.91±64.38ml/100gr/min, p=0.056). Zaključak: Neinvazivno izmerena kortikalna bubrežna perfuzija ASL-MRI metodom se razlikuje između pacijenata sa očuvanom i oštećenom funkcijom alografta, sa kojom značajno korelira.Background: Perfusion represents a blood flow at the level of the tissue capillary bed and determines the delivery of nutrients and oxygen, while in kidneys regulates glomerular filtration rate (GFR), as a central measure of renal function. The development of a non-invasive and reliable method for renal perfusion estimation that would reflect GFR would significantly improve on-time identification of potential allograft injury. Aim: Discrimination of renal allografts with impaired function by measuring cortical renal blood flow (cRBF) in pediatric patients, as well as a comparison with cRBF values of healthy controls using magnetic resonance imaging arterial spin labelling (ASL-MRI). Methods: We performed ASL-MRI in 20 allograft patients and 20 healthy controls to calculate cRBF on parameter maps. It was correlated to calculated GFR in allografts and compared between patient groups with good (GFR≥60 mL/min/1.73m2) and impaired allograft function (GFR<60 mL/min/1.73m2) as well as with healthy controls. Results: cRBF in patient group ranged between 85 and 335 mL/100 g/min (mean 190.05 ± 67.62 mL/100 g/min). Mean cRBF in patients with good allograft function was significantly higher than in patients with impaired function (225.91±64.38 vs. 146.22±41.84 mL/min/100g, p=0.005), showing a highly significant correlation with GFR in all subjects (r=0.64, p=0.002). In healthy controls mean cRBF was significantly higher than in patients with poor allograft function (322.00±121.36 vs. 146.22±41.84 ml/100gr/min, p=0.002) and showed no difference to patients with stable function (322.00±121.36 vs. 225.91±64.38 ml/100gr/min, p=0.056). Conclusion: Cortical perfusion as non-invasively measured by ASL-MRI differs between patients with good and impaired allograft function and correlates significantly with its function

The Impact of Ownership Structure on Corporate Performance in Transitional Economies

The relationship between ownership structure and corporate performance might be remarkably strong and in formative within transition economies. In this research, we explore this relationship, referring to the example of the Republic of Serbia. For that purpose, appropriate linear models have been fitted to the panel dataset compiled from financial reports of 2101 non-financial companies actively operating during the period 2008-2013. The results indicate that, after controlling for size effect, companies characterised by state, dispersed or/and foreign ownership have significantly lower profitability in comparison to their counterparts. We would argue that an intensified agency problem and lack of entrepreneurial spirit might be the root of the profitability problem