17 research outputs found
Reconditioning and Reconstruction: A Second Wind for Serbian Kindergartens
No full textAbstractA great number of preschool buildings in Serbia, mainly in south-eastern part of Central Serbia, have been examined as a part of scientific project carried at Faculty of Civil Engineering and Architecture in Nis. Even though this is an on-going project with data still being collected, there has been sufficient material to make an overview of field situation and draft framework for proposed reconstruction strategy as a main goal of this study. This analysis presents the basis for examining and valorizing local preschool facilities. In addition to treating structural, environmental and aesthetic (internal and external) properties of the buildings, we carried out analysis of energy status of preschool buildings. Investigation of foreign experience with the process of revitalization of this group of buildings has served as the framework for the final part of the chapter, which offers suggestions for improving quality of preschool facilities in Serbia
HPLC, GC QUANTITATIVE CHARACTERIZATION OF PHYTOCHEMICALS IN JUSTICIA CARNEA LEAF
No full textAbstract: Phytochemicals are primary or secondary constituent depending on their role during metabolism in plant. The study investigated the quantitative characterization of phytochemicals present in leaves of Justicia carnea. Phytochemical screening of Justicia carnea was done using high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and gas chromatography (GC). The quantitative phytochemical screening of leaves of Justicia carnea indicated in descending order the presence of phytoconstituents; 744.24mg/100g (tanic acid), saponin 449.43mg/100g (Justisci-saponin-1 and sapogenin), sterols 30.58mg/100g (Sitosterol and Campesterol), , glycoside 39.27mg/100g (Kaemaferitrin and 0-sistosterol-3-B-glycoside) , terpenoids 8.55 x 10-1mg/100g (Beta-amyrin and Alpha-amyrin) , oxalate 102.11ppm and phytate 12.36ppm. Leaves of Justicia carnea contain different phytochemicals with different therapeutic potentials which could serve as precursors in the synthesis of drugs as well as herbal agents in treatment of diseases.
Keywords: Justicia carnea, phytoconstituent, ethnomedicinal, chromatography.
Title: HPLC, GC QUANTITATIVE CHARACTERIZATION OF PHYTOCHEMICALS IN JUSTICIA CARNEA LEAF
Author: Peters, D.E., Ahaotu, O., Wegwu, M.O.
International Journal of Novel Research in Life Sciences
ISSN 2394-966X
Vol. 9, Issue 5, September 2022 - October 2022
Page No: 1-9
Novelty Journals
Website: www.noveltyjournals.com
Published Date: 01-September-2022
DOI: https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.7037574
Paper Download Link (Source)
https://www.noveltyjournals.com/upload/paper/HPLC,%20GC%20QUANTITATIVE%20CHARACTERIZATION-31082022-3.pdfInternational Journal of Novel Research in Life Sciences, ISSN 2394-966X, Novelty Journals, Website: www.noveltyjournals.co
Content of the potentially harmful elements in soil around the major coal-fired power plant in Serbia: relation to soil characteristics, evaluation of spatial distribution and source apportionment
No full textThe concentrations and spatial distribution of nine potentially harmful elements (PHEs), namely Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn, Ni, Pb and Zn, and their relation to soil properties were investigated in thirty soil profiles (0-50 cm depth) sampled around the largest Serbian coal-fired power plant (CFPP) Nikola Tesla A. Soil properties were determined following standard procedures, and total contents of PHEs were analyzed by atomic absorption spectrometer. Concentrations of Cd, Co, Fe, Mn, Pb and Zn were the highest in soil profiles sampled 1 km away from the CFPP, concentrations of Ni and Cu gradually increased up to 4 km, and the highest Cr concentrations were measured in samples taken 6 km away from the CFPP. The highest concentration of PHEs analyzed, except Mn, corresponded with predominant wind directions. Depth did not show significant impact on distribution of any PHEs investigated. Among soil properties, the total organic carbon showed the closest relationship with the PHEs. Data were processed by a principal component analysis which enabled distinguishing anthropogenic from natural influences on soil properties and PHE contents. Although the impact of CFPP operations is obvious, assets of principal component analysis did not allow clear distinction of CFPPs contribution from parent material in enrichment of PHE contents in the soil in the study area
Natural Radionuclides in Soil Profiles Surrounding the Largest Coal-Fired Power Plant in Serbia
Get PDFThis study evaluates the influence of the largest Serbian coal-fired power plant on radionuclide concentrations in soil profiles up to 50 cm in depth. Thirty soil profiles were sampled from the plant surroundings (up to 10 km distance) and analyzed using standard methods for soil physicochemical properties and gamma ray spectrometry for specific activities of natural radionuclides (K-40, Ra-226 and Th-232) Spatial and vertical distribution of radionuclides was determined and analyzed to show the relations between the specific activities in the soil and soil properties and the most influential factors of natural radionuclide variability were identified. The radiological indices for surface soil were calculated and radiological risk assessment was performed. The measured specific activities were similar to values of background levels for Serbia. The sampling depth did not show any significant influence on specific activities of natural radionuclides. The strongest predictor of specific activities of the investigated radionuclides was soil granulometry. All parameters of radiological risk assessment were below the recommended values and adopted limits. It appears that the coal-fired power plant does not have a significant impact on the spatial and vertical distribution of natural radionuclides in the area of interest, but technologically enhanced natural radioactivity as a consequence of the plant operations was identified within the first 1.5 km from the power plant
Two Decades of Progress in Personalized Medicine of Colorectal Cancer in Serbia—Insights from the Institute for Oncology and Radiology of Serbia
No full textBackground: It is projected that, by 2040, the number of new cases of colorectal cancer (CRC) will increase to 3.2 million, and the number of deaths to 1.6 million, highlighting the need for prevention strategies, early detection and adequate follow-up. In this study, we aimed to provide an overview of the progress in personalized medicine of CRC in Serbia, with results and insights from the Institute for Oncology and Radiology of Serbia (IORS), and to propose guidance for tackling observed challenges in the future. Methods: Epidemiological data were derived from official global and national cancer registries and IORS electronic medical records. Germline genetic testing for Lynch syndrome was performed by Next Generation Sequencing. RAS and BRAF mutation analyses were performed using qPCR diagnostic kits. Results: Epidemiology and risk factors, prevention and early detection programs, as well as treatment options and scientific advances have been described in detail. Out of 103 patients who underwent germline testing for Lynch syndrome, 19 (18.4%) showed a mutation in MMR genes with pathogenic or likely pathogenic significance and 8 (7.8%) in other CRC-associated genes (APC, CHEK2, MUTYH). Of 6369 tested patients, 50.43% had a mutation in KRAS or NRAS genes, while 9.54% had the V600 mutation in the BRAF gene. Conclusions: Although significant improvements in CRC management have occurred globally in recent years, a strategic approach leading to population-based systemic solutions is required. The high incidence of young-onset CRC and the growing elderly population due to a rise in life expectancy will be especially important factors for countries with limited healthcare resources like Serbia
Does Varicocele Repair Improve Conventional Semen Parameters? A Meta-Analytic Study of Before-After Data
Get PDFPurpose: The purpose of this meta-analysis is to study the impact of varicocele repair in the largest cohort of infertile males with clinical varicocele by including all available studies, with no language restrictions, comparing intra-person conventional semen parameters before and after the repair of varicoceles. Materials and Methods: The meta-analysis was performed according to PRISMA-P and MOOSE guidelines. A systematic search was performed in Scopus, PubMed, Cochrane, and Embase databases. Eligible studies were selected according to the PICOS model (Population: infertile male patients with clinical varicocele; Intervention: varicocele repair; Comparison: intra-person before-after varicocele repair; Outcome: conventional semen parameters; Study type: randomized controlled trials [RCTs], observational and case-control studies). Results: Out of 1,632 screened abstracts, 351 articles (23 RCTs, 292 observational, and 36 case-control studies) were includ-ed in the quantitative analysis. The before-and-after analysis showed significant improvements in all semen parameters after varicocele repair (except sperm vitality); semen volume: standardized mean difference (SMD) 0.203, 95% CI: 0.129-0.278; p<0.001; I2=83.62%, Egger's p=0.3329; sperm concentration: SMD 1.590, 95% CI: 1.474-1.706; p<0.001; I2=97.86%, Egger's p<0.0001; total sperm count: SMD 1.824, 95% CI: 1.526-2.121; p<0.001; I2=97.88%, Egger's p=0.0063; total motile sperm count: SMD 1.643, 95% CI: 1.318-1.968; p<0.001; I2=98.65%, Egger's p=0.0003; progressive sperm motil-ity: SMD 1.845, 95% CI: 1.537%-2.153%; p<0.001; I2=98.97%, Egger's p<0.0001; total sperm motility: SMD 1.613, 95% CI 1.467%-1.759%; p<0.001; l2=97.98%, Egger's p<0.001; sperm morphology: SMD 1.066, 95% CI 0.992%-1.211%; p<0.001; I2=97.87%, Egger's p=0.1864. Conclusions: The current meta-analysis is the largest to date using paired analysis on varicocele patients. In the current meta-analysis, almost all conventional semen parameters improved significantly following varicocele repair in infertile patients with clinical varicocele
Embryonic stem cells: modelling effects ofearly embryo environment
No full textThe Developmental Origins of Health and Disease (DOHaD) hypothesis proposes that embryonic environment can induce permanent changes in metabolism during development, increasing the risk of disease in adults. Adverse environments during critical stages of gestation are sufficient to induce adaptations in offspring and disease susceptibility in later life. Rodent models show that maternal diet exclusively during preimplantation development induces cardiovascular and metabolic disease in adult offspring. Changes must therefore occur within the distinct cell populations of the early embryo and be maintained throughout development. Determining adaptive mechanisms has been challenging due to the small size of the early embryo, and genetic variability in outbred strains previously used. We generated mouse embryonic stem (ES) cells from inbred C57BL/6 mice as a model to overcome these problems. These were used to characterise mechanisms associated with the embryo’s adaptive responses to maternal diet. ES cell lines were derived from blastocysts of C57BL/6 mice assigned to either an isocaloric low protein diet (LPD), or a control diet exclusively through preimplantation development. ES cell lines were characterised for karyotype, sex, gene expression, and functional characteristics including proliferation, death, and metabolism at standardised passages. LPD had no impact on blastocyst formation in vivo or blastocyst cell lineage allocation. Experimental conditions did affect blastocyst outgrowth development in vitro. LPDoutgrowths cultured with less feeder fibroblasts showed slower development than controls. Although LPD blastocyst outgrowth was comparable to controls under high feeder growth conditions, there was a significant reduction in the capacity for ES cell derivation. There was a prominent sex bias towards male ES cell lines. These ES cells retained similar levels of gene expression related to pluripotency, housekeeping and developmental functions irrespective of diet. LPD did not affect growth or metabolism. These cells however showed increased basal apoptosis, and reduced levels of phosphorylated Extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK). The reduced ES cell isolation efficiency may indicate a reduced number of pluripotent cells present within the early embryo or increased sensitivity of these cells in response to maternal LPD. Increased apoptosis in ES cells derived from LPD-blastocysts reveal that these cells are indeed more sensitive. Reduced activated ERK may suggest that dysregulated ERK-mediated survival signalling causes enhanced apoptosis. Such adaptations in the early embryo may impact on lineage allocation as differentiation occurs. These ES cell lines may provide a model to investigate such mechanistic adaptations in post-implantation tissues providing further insight into foetal responses to poor nutrition and the induction of adult onset disease
Global Practice Patterns and Variations in the Medical and Surgical Management of Non-Obstructive Azoospermia: Results of a World-Wide Survey, Guidelines and Expert Recommendations
Get PDFPurpose: Non-obstructive azoospermia (NOA) is a common, but complex problem, with multiple therapeutic options and a lack of clear guidelines. Hence, there is considerable controversy and marked variation in the management of NOA. This survey evaluates contemporary global practices related to medical and surgical management for patients with NOA.
Materials and methods: A 56-question online survey covering various aspects of the evaluation and management of NOA was sent to specialists around the globe. This paper analyzes the results of the second half of the survey dealing with the management of NOA. Results have been compared to current guidelines, and expert recommendations have been provided using a Delphi process.
Results: Participants from 49 countries submitted 336 valid responses. Hormonal therapy for 3 to 6 months was suggested before surgical sperm retrieval (SSR) by 29.6% and 23.6% of participants for normogonadotropic hypogonadism and hypergonadotropic hypogonadism respectively. The SSR rate was reported as 50.0% by 26.0% to 50.0% of participants. Interestingly, 46.0% reported successful SSR in <10% of men with Klinefelter syndrome and 41.3% routinely recommended preimplantation genetic testing. Varicocele repair prior to SSR is recommended by 57.7%. Half of the respondents (57.4%) reported using ultrasound to identify the most vascularized areas in the testis for SSR. One-third proceed directly to microdissection testicular sperm extraction (mTESE) in every case of NOA while others use a staged approach. After a failed conventional TESE, 23.8% wait for 3 months, while 33.1% wait for 6 months before proceeding to mTESE. The cut-off of follicle-stimulating hormone for positive SSR was reported to be 12-19 IU/mL by 22.5% of participants and 20-40 IU/mL by 27.8%, while 31.8% reported no upper limit.
Conclusions: This is the largest survey to date on the real-world medical and surgical management of NOA by reproductive experts. It demonstrates a diverse practice pattern and highlights the need for evidence-based international consensus guidelines
Global Practice Patterns in the Evaluation of Non-Obstructive Azoospermia: Results of a World-Wide Survey and Expert Recommendations
Get PDFPurpose: Non-obstructive azoospermia (NOA) represents the persistent absence of sperm in ejaculate without obstruction, stemming from diverse disease processes. This survey explores global practices in NOA diagnosis, comparing them with guidelines and offering expert recommendations. Materials and methods: A 56-item questionnaire survey on NOA diagnosis and management was conducted globally from July to September 2022. This paper focuses on part 1, evaluating NOA diagnosis. Data from 367 participants across 49 countries were analyzed descriptively, with a Delphi process used for expert recommendations. Results: Of 336 eligible responses, most participants were experienced attending physicians (70.93%). To diagnose azoospermia definitively, 81.7% requested two semen samples. Commonly ordered hormone tests included serum follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) (97.0%), total testosterone (92.9%), and luteinizing hormone (86.9%). Genetic testing was requested by 66.6%, with karyotype analysis (86.2%) and Y chromosome microdeletions (88.3%) prevalent. Diagnostic testicular biopsy, distinguishing obstructive azoospermia (OA) from NOA, was not performed by 45.1%, while 34.6% did it selectively. Differentiation relied on physical examination (76.1%), serum hormone profiles (69.6%), and semen tests (68.1%). Expectations of finding sperm surgically were higher in men with normal FSH, larger testes, and a history of sperm in ejaculate. Conclusions: This expert survey, encompassing 367 participants from 49 countries, unveils congruence with recommended guidelines in NOA diagnosis. However, noteworthy disparities in practices suggest a need for evidence-based, international consensus guidelines to standardize NOA evaluation, addressing existing gaps in professional recommendations
Neoantigen-directed immune escape in lung cancer evolution
No full textThe interplay between an evolving cancer and a dynamic immune microenvironment remains unclear. Here we analyse 258 regions from 88 early-stage, untreated non-small-cell lung cancers using RNA sequencing and histopathology-assessed tumour-infiltrating lymphocyte estimates. Immune infiltration varied both between and within tumours, with different mechanisms of neoantigen presentation dysfunction enriched in distinct immune microenvironments. Sparsely infiltrated tumours exhibited a waning of neoantigen editing during tumour evolution, indicative of historical immune editing, or copy-number loss of previously clonal neoantigens. Immune-infiltrated tumour regions exhibited ongoing immunoediting, with either loss of heterozygosity in human leukocyte antigens or depletion of expressed neoantigens. We identified promoter hypermethylation of genes that contain neoantigenic mutations as an epigenetic mechanism of immunoediting. Our results suggest that the immune microenvironment exerts a strong selection pressure in early-stage, untreated non-small-cell lung cancers that produces multiple routes to immune evasion, which are clinically relevant and forecast poor disease-free survival.sponsorship: We thank the members of the TRACERx consortium for participating in this study. C.S. is Royal Society Napier Research Professor. C.S. is supported by the Francis Crick Institute, which receives its core funding from the Medical Research Council (FC001169), the Wellcome Trust (FC001169), and Cancer Research UK (FC001169). C.S. is funded by Cancer Research UK (TRACERx and CRUK Cancer Immunotherapy Catalyst Network), the CRUK Lung Cancer Centre of Excellence, Stand Up 2 Cancer (SU2C), the Rosetrees and Stoneygate Trusts, NovoNordisk Foundation (ID 16584), the Breast Cancer Research Foundation (BCRF), the European Research Council Consolidator Grant (FP7-THESEUS-617844), European Commission ITN (FP7-PloidyNet-607722), Chromavision (this project has received funding from the European Union's Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme under grant agreement No 665233), National Institute for Health Research (NIHR), the University College London Hospitals Biomedical Research Centre (BRC) and the Cancer Research UK University College London Experimental Cancer Medicine Centre. N.M. is a Sir Henry Dale Fellow, jointly funded by the Wellcome Trust and the Royal Society (211179/Z/18/Z), and also receives funding from CRUK Lung Cancer Centre of Excellence, Rosetrees and the University College London Hospitals Biomedical Research Centre (BRC) and the Cancer Research UK University College London Experimental Cancer Medicine Centre. E.L.C., J.D. and P.V.L. are supported by the Francis Crick Institute, which receives its core funding from Cancer Research UK (FC001202), the UK Medical Research Council (FC001202), and the Wellcome Trust (FC001202). P.V.L. is a Winton Group Leader in recognition of the Winton Charitable Foundation's support towards the establishment of The Francis Crick Institute. J.D. is a postdoctoral fellow of the Research Foundation -Flanders (FWO). S.A.Q. is funded by a CRUK Senior Cancer Research Fellowship (C36463/A22246), a CRUK Biotherapeutic Program Grant (C36463/A20764), the Cancer Immunotherapy Accelerator Award (CITA-CRUK) (C33499/A20265) and Rosetrees. M.T. received funding from the People Programme Marie Curie Actions (FP7/2007-2013/WHRI-ACADEMY-608765) and the Danish Council for Strategic Research (1309-00006B). The TRACERx study (Clinicaltrials. gov no: NCT01888601) is sponsored by University College London (UCL/12/0279) and has been approved by an independent Research Ethics Committee (13/LO/1546). TRACERx is funded by Cancer Research UK (C11496/A17786) and coordinated through the Cancer Research UK and UCL Cancer Trials Centre. For the RRBS methylation data, we acknowledge technical support from the CRUK-UCL Centre-funded Genomics and Genome Engineering Core Facility of the UCL Cancer Institute and grant support from the NIHR BRC (BRC275/CN/SB/101330). The views expressed are those of the author(s) and not necessarily those of the NIHR or the Department of Health and Social Care. The results published here are based in part upon data generated by The Cancer Genome Atlas pilot project established by the NCI and the National Human Genome Research Institute. The data were retrieved through database of Genotypes and Phenotypes (dbGaP) authorization (accession number phs000178.v9.p8). Information about TCGA and the constituent investigators and institutions the TCGA research network can be found at http://cancergenome.nih.gov/. (Francis Crick Institute - Medical Research Council|FC001169, Wellcome Trust|FC001169, Wellcome Trust|211179/Z/18/Z, Wellcome Trust|FC001202, Cancer Research UK|FC001169, Cancer Research UK|C11496/A17786, Cancer Research UK (TRACERx), CRUK Lung Cancer Centre of Excellence, Stand Up 2 Cancer (SU2C), Rosetrees Trust, Stoneygate Trust, NovoNordisk Foundation|16584, Breast Cancer Research Foundation (BCRF), European Research Council Consolidator Grant|FP7-THESEUS-617844, European Commission ITN|FP7-PloidyNet-607722, Chromavision (European Union's Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme)|665233, National Institute for Health Research (NIHR), University College London Hospitals Biomedical Research Centre (BRC), Cancer Research UK University College London Experimental Cancer Medicine Centre, Royal Society|211179/Z/18/Z, Rosetrees, Francis Crick Institute - Cancer Research UK|FC001202, UK Medical Research Council|FC001202, Winton Charitable Foundation, CRUK Senior Cancer Research Fellowship|C36463/A22246, CRUK Biotherapeutic Program Grant|C36463/A20764, Cancer Immunotherapy Accelerator Award (CITA-CRUK)|C33499/A20265, People Programme Marie Curie Actions|FP7/2007-2013/WHRI-ACADEMY-608765, Danish Council for Strategic Research|1309-00006B, University College London|UCL/12/0279, CRUK-UCL Centre, NIHR BRC|BRC275/CN/SB/101330, Cancer Research UK (CRUK Cancer Immunotherapy Catalyst Network), Cancer Research UK|23896, Cancer Research UK|19278, Cancer Research UK|24314, Cancer Research UK|20466, Cancer Research UK|28990, Cancer Research UK|20764, Cancer Research UK|16463, Cancer Research UK|20465, Cancer Research UK|17786, Cancer Research UK|21999, Cancer Research UK|24956, Cancer Research UK; Versus Arthritis|22246, Cancer Research UK; Versus Arthritis|20265, Medical Research Council|MC_UP_1203/1, National Institute for Health Research|CL-2015-18-009, National Institute for Health Research|CL-2015-17-002, Novo Nordisk Fonden|NNF15OC0016584, Rosetrees|M179, Rosetrees|M630, The Francis Crick Institute|10169, The Francis Crick Institute|10202, The Francis Crick Institute|10002, The Francis Crick Institute|10233, Wellcome Trust|107963/Z/15/Z, Wellcome Trust|211179/Z/18/Z)status: Publishe
