Deposition of 137Cs and precipitation distribution in Vojvodina, Northern Serbia after the Chernobyl accident.

There is a dilemma whether the Chernobyl accident is the main source of this anthropogenic radionuclide in the region of Vojvodina, Northern Province of Serbia. The difference compared to the other dominant source of radiocaesium in the environment, the nuclear weapon tests, is lying in the local character of contamination due to accidents, which implies it's highly dependent on meteorological parameters, such as precipitation and wind in the area at that time. According to published data, the average value of surface contamination by radiocaesium on the territory of the former Yugoslavia after the Chernobyl accident was several times higher than the estimated contamination by nuclear testing (1945-1963). The main aim of this research is to explore possible correlations of the spatial distribution of precipitation from April 1986 to December 1987 with the deposition of radiocaesium in the surface soil to justify this claim in the absence of data on caesium deposition before the Chernobyl accident for the Vojvodina region. The database of 137Cs content in Vojvodina soil and precipitation for this region during the timeframe of interest were used. From a total of 245 precipitation stations in Vojvodina, 164 to 244 precipitation stations were selected for analysis in conditionals from different time scale aspects and data validation. The best correlation between amounts of total precipitation and 137Cs content in surface soil obtained for two rainy periods 2nd-5th and 7th-21st May 1986. Further cluster analysis separated four different regions according to 137Cs deposition and precipitation for the mentioned rainy period which could be applied in the field of soil erosion assessment on the local and regional level.

A new model to determine lipophilicity of 1,2-ethanediamine-N,N'-di-2-(3-cyclohexyl)propanoic acid and 1,3-propanediamine-N,N'-di-2-(3-cyclohexyl)propanoic acid derivatives with antiproliferative activity by combining shake flask procedure and UHPLC-MS method.

Fourteen compounds representing ester derivatives of (S,S)-1,2-ethanediamine-N,N'-di-2-(3-cyclohexyl) propanoic and (S,S)-1,3-propanediamine-N,N'-di-2-(3-cyclohexyl)propanoic acids, expressing antiproliferative activity in vitro were examined. The objective of this study was to determinate their lipophilicity data, and also to ensure a mathematical model for prediction lipophilicity data of potential in vivo metabolites and new derivatives of (S,S)-1,2-ethanediamine-N,N'-di-2-(3-cyclohexyl)propanoic acid, based on chromatographic parameters. Experimentally, lipophilicity data were obtained by a traditional shake flask procedure and an ultra-high performance liquid chromatographic tandem mass spectrometry (UHPLC-MS) method. A correlation between the partition coefficient n-octanol/water (logD7,4) and chromatographic data (CHI, 0), and also, between logD7,4 and retention time was investigated. A very good correlation (r2=0.8969) was found between lipophilicity parameters 0 and logD7,4 obtained using UHPLC-MS and shake flask methods: logD7,4 = (0.11±0.01)×0 + (1.25±0.20)×Nc - (9.19±1.18); statistical parameter F=47.84; significance of F = 3.74×10-6, Nc=number of C atoms between two amino groups (Nc=2 for 1,2-ethanediamine derivatives and Nc=3 for 1,3-propanediamine derivatives). The model predictivity power was determined by cross validation leave one out (LOO) technique, and expressed by the term Q2, was 0.89. The developed model has good predictivity power for prediction lipophilicity data of potential in vivo metabolites of the investigated compounds, such as novel 1,2-ethanediamine and 1,3-propanediamine N,N'-di-2-(3-cyclohexyl)propanoic acid derivatives. Also, the lipophilicity data obtained in the present study correlated with the antiproliferative activity of the investigated substances shown previously in in vitro studies.

[CARDIORENAL SYNDROME: CLINICAL FEATURES, EARLY DIAGNOSIS AND TREATMENT AT FAMILY MEDICINE].

The interdependent damage to the heart and kidney organ systems is defined as cardiorenal syndrome, a complex pathophysiological disorder of the heart and kidney in which acute or chronic dysfunction of one organ can lead to acute or chronic damage to the other. Identification and early diagnosis of some subtypes of cardiorenal syndrome very often begin at family physician office, however, the use of simple and reliable diagnostic procedures such as MICE score using ECG and biomarkers has not been implemented yet. The clinical picture, diagnosis and treatment vary according to the 5 cardiorenal syndrome subtypes, as described herein. Rational diagnosis of heart failure at family medicine office should include biomarkers (BNP and NT-pro BNP) before performing ultrasound of the heart, while for kidneys creatinine and estimated glomerular filtration rate are still in use, but not cysteine C and NGAL. Diagnostic procedure for suspected heart failure at family medicine office should include kidney function estimate and vice versa. Access to treatment of cardiorenal syndrome differs depending on the specialty to which the patient is referred first, i.e. consultant examination, cardiologist or nephrologist. A multidisciplinary approach to treatment of cardiorenal syndrome is still lacking.

[APPROACH TO A PATIENT WITH DYSPEPSIA IN FAMILY MEDICINE PRACTICE].

Dyspepsia is a common symptom among patients in family medicine practice. The prevalence in adult population is about 40%. Two-thirds of patients have functional dyspepsia. Clinical assessment, diagnostic procedures and treatment of patients depend on the age, symptoms and Helicobacter pylori infection. In patients with dyspepsia, it is necessary to assess the potential impact of other concurrent diseases and medications that the patient regularly uses. Prompt or early endoscopy is recommended in patients with newly detected dyspepsia older than 50 and presenting with alarming symptoms. In persons younger than 50, the recommended strategy is 'test and treat'. In some patients, treatment is carried out by acid suppression. In patients failing to achieve success in treatment, further endoscopic diagnosis is indicated. Ultrasound diagnostics in primary care can significantly contribute to diagnostic evaluation and early treatment in patients with hepatobiliary and pancreas diseases presenting with symptoms of dyspepsia. Treatment of concurrent mental disorders can improve the symptoms of dyspepsia. Treatment of patients who do not respond to the recommended treatment strategies is a challenge for family physicians. Regular visits and psychotherapeutic support in these patients can reduce the level of anxiety and encourage the patient for treatment of psychological morbidity, as well as his efforts in healthy behavior.

[PREVENTION AND EARLY DETECTION OF COLORECTAL CANCER].

Colorectal cancer is a global problem worldwide because of its very high prevalence and mortality. Therefore, prevention of colorectal cancer and its early diagnosis is of great importance. In Croatia, the National Program for Colorectal Cancer has been carried out since 2007; however, the rate of response was about 18 percent, depending on the region. Such a great public health and social and economic problem requires multidisciplinary approach in which family physicians have an important role. The well spread and developed network of primary health care and the availability of family physicians to each inhabitant have not been sufficiently exploited, especially for such preventive activities where family physicians could supervise program implementation.

Brain and art: illustrations of the cerebral convolutions. A review.

BACKGROUND: Aesthetics and functional significance of the cerebral cortical relief gave us the idea to find out how often the convolutions are presented in fine art, and in which techniques, conceptual meaning and pathophysiological aspect. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We examined 27,614 art works created by 2,856 authors and presented in art literature, and in Google images search. RESULTS: The cerebral gyri were shown in 0.85% of the art works created by 2.35% of the authors. The concept of the brain was first mentioned in ancient Egypt some 3,700 years ago. The first artistic drawing of the convolutions was made by Leonardo da Vinci, and the first colour picture by an unknown Italian author. Rembrandt van Rijn was the first to paint the gyri. Dozens of modern authors, who are professional artists, medical experts or designers, presented the cerebralc onvolutions in drawings, paintings, digital works or sculptures, with various aesthetic, symbolic and metaphorical connotation. Some artistic compositions and natural forms show a gyral pattern. The convolutions, whose cortical layers enable the cognitive functions, can be affected by various disorders. Some artists suffered from those disorders, and some others presented them in their artworks. CONCLUSIONS: The cerebral convolutions or gyri, thanks to their extensive cortical mantle, are the specific morphological basis for the human mind, but also the structures with their own aesthetics. Contemporary authors relatively often depictor model the cerebral convolutions, either from the aesthetic or conceptual aspect. In this way, they make a connection between the neuroscience and fineart.

Lack of mitochondrial DNA structure in Balkan donkey is consistent with a quick spread of the species after domestication.

A total of 132 mtDNA sequences from 10 Balkan donkey populations were analysed to ascertain their regional genetic structure and to contribute to the knowledge of the spreading of the species after domestication. The Balkan donkey sequences were compared with those from 40 Burkina Faso donkeys as an African outgroup to account for possible local Balkan scenarios. The 172 sequences gave 62 different haplotypes (55 in Balkan donkey). Virtually all the analysed populations had haplotypes assigned to either Clade 1 or Clade 2 even though the relative proportion of Clade 1 or 2 haplotypes differed across populations. Geographical maps constructed using factors computed via principal component analysis showed that the Balkan donkey populations are not spatially structured. AMOVA confirmed a lack of genetic structure in Balkan donkey mtDNA. Balkan populations were poorly differentiated (ΦST  = 0.071). Differentiation between the Balkan donkey and the African outgroup also was low. The lack of correspondence between geographical areas and maternal genetic structure is consistent with the hypothesis suggesting a very quick spread of the species after domestication. The current research illustrates the difficulties to trace routes of expansion in donkey, as the species has no geographical structure.

The effect of lipophilicity on the hepatobiliary properties of iminodiacetic acid derivatives in the conditions of hyperbilirubinemia.

The partition coefficients (log P) of theoretically possible alkyliodinated iminodiacetic acid (IDA) derivatives and commercial IDA derivatives were calculated using two computer programs: ChemSketch Log P and ChemOffice Ultra. Newly synthesized ligands (DIETHYLIODIDA and DIISOPROPYLIODIDA) with the highest calculated log P were labeled with technetium-99m. The biodistribution and the influence of bilirubin on their biokinetics were investigated in rats and compared to corresponding results for commercial (99m)Tc-BROMIDA. Log P of (99m)Tc-complexes of synthesized ligands were determined experimentally as well as the protein binding. In comparison to (99m)Tc-BROMIDA, (99m)Tc-DIETHYLIODIDA has: (a) better biliary excretion (2.76±0.15%ID/g versus 1.83±0.10%ID/g); (b) faster hepatic clearance (2.90±0.21%ID/g versus 7.47±0.70%ID/g) and decreased biliary excretion (for 14% versus 22%) in conditions of hyperbilirubinemia after 15min. It is proved that (99m)Tc-DIISOPROPYLIODIDA has a prolonged hepatic transit time and decreased biliary excretion.

10 ps resolution, 160 ns full scale range and less than 1.5% differential non-linearity time-to-digital converter module for high performance timing measurements.

We present a compact high performance time-to-digital converter (TDC) module that provides 10 ps timing resolution, 160 ns dynamic range and a differential non-linearity better than 1.5% LSB(rms). The TDC can be operated either as a general-purpose time-interval measurement device, when receiving external START and STOP pulses, or in photon-timing mode, when employing the on-chip SPAD (single photon avalanche diode) detector for detecting photons and time-tagging them. The instrument precision is 15 ps(rms) (i.e., 36 ps(FWHM)) and in photon timing mode it is still better than 70 ps(FWHM). The USB link to the remote PC allows the easy setting of measurement parameters, the fast download of acquired data, and their visualization and storing via an user-friendly software interface. The module proves to be the best candidate for a wide variety of applications such as: fluorescence lifetime imaging, time-of-flight ranging measurements, time-resolved positron emission tomography, single-molecule spectroscopy, fluorescence correlation spectroscopy, diffuse optical tomography, optical time-domain reflectometry, quantum optics, etc.

What are the possible reasons for urethral PSA varieties after radical prostatectomy?

OBJECTIVE: To examine the possible reasons for great varieties in urethral prostate specific antigen (urPSA) levels, in patients after radical prostatectomy (RP). MATERIALS AND METHODS: In 46 patients with pros-tate cancer, PSA, urPSA, total testosterone, body-mass index (BMI) and the stage of androgenic alopecia (AGA) were determined. Forty-five patients underwent retropubic RP, while one underwent cystoprostatectomy with orthotopic bladder construction, due to bladder cancer. RESULTS: Average patients age prior to surgery plus or minus standard deviation was 65.2 +/- 5.8 years. Average urPSA was 20.9 +/- 47.5 ng/ml (0.05 to 212 ng/ml, median 2.24 ng/ml). With urethral PSA cut-off of 2.0 ng/ml, two groups were formed: A (urPSA < 2.0 ng/ml) and B (urPSA = 2.0 ng/ml). Patients in the group A had significantly lower average AGA score, than the patients from the group B (2.4 +/- 1.3 vs. 4.4 +/- 2.2, p = 0.0003). In addition, patients from the group A had significantly lower pos-toperative PSA (0.07+0.08 ng/ml vs. 0.14 +/- 0.06 ng/ml, p = 0.0014). CONCLUSIONS: The patients with higher urPSA have higher AGA scores and higher postoperative PSA. This phenomenon is probably the consequence of higher local dihydrotestosterone activity in the scalp and PSA-secreting urethral glands.

[Stricture recanalisation of the distal urether with various endoprothesis].

INTRODUCTION: Application of the metallic stents in the interventional uroradioligy is the result of continous development of the new generation methods percutaneous nephrostomy (PCN), ballon catheter dilatation (BCD), methal and covered stent application. Application of metal stents in the renal canal system was attempted in order to eliminate BCD and PCN--related limitations as well as poor therapeutic results of these methods in a number of etiopathogenic groups of urinary stasis. Years--long application of interventional uroradiology methods, until the development of metallic stengts had shown the following therapeutics facts: PCN is incapable to resolve the caus of urinary obstruction. Permanent good therapeutic BCD results mostly depend on pathohistological aspect of the stricture, metallic stents are most frequently the last choice in therapeutics approch to urinary tract obstructions and their application is directly dependent on previous therapeutics results accomplished by PCN and BCD. In therapeutical sequences new generation of covered stents have important place as method of selection in patients of irreversibile uroopstruction of distal ureter. OBJECTIVE: The main goal of this study was to analize therapeutics results, advanteges and shortages of insercion plastics and opened metallic endoprothesis, and to analize results of covered methal applications on the contrary of using older interventional uroradiology methods. METHOD: Sixthytwo patients with distal urether strictures threated in the Deparment of interventional uroradiology Institute od Radiology Clinical centre of Serbia in Belgrade, participated in the study. Results were analized with Person's 2-test, Fisher test and Student T-test. RESULTS: In our study we had highly significant differences in comparison with number of patients and type of stents during the time after recanalization was reached. Also it was highly significant differences acorrding the type od used interventional uroradiology method that treated proliferation and the success of recanalization. CONCLUSION: Application of covered temporary uretheral stents have number advanteges against using generation older permanent methal endoprothesis.

Percutaneous nephrostomy in the management of advanced and terminal-stage gynecologic malignancies: outcome and complications.

PURPOSE: The goal of the study was to evaluate the outcome and complications after percutaneous nephrostomy (PCN) insertion in advanced and terminal-stage gynecological malignancies with ureteral obstruction (UO). MATERIALS AND METHODS: We analyzed data of 117 patients with UO due to gynecological malignancies, who had undergone PCN between 1996 and 2006. Cervical cancer was evidenced in 108 patients, uterine carcinoma in six and ovarian cancer in three patients. Eighty-nine had UO at the initial manifestation of the disease, 22 had persistent or recurrent cancer, and six were disease-free after initial therapy. Oliguria was observed in 22.2% and creatine elevation in 79.5%. Mean follow-up was 11.43 months (range 0-112). RESULTS: The median age was 51 years (range 28-85). Bilateral nephrostomy was performed in 36.7% and unilateral in 63.3%. Renal function normalization occurred in 24.8%. Overall two-year survival (OS) was 16.8%. Higher OS occurred in patients without initial azotemia versus those with azotemia (26.8% vs 13.9%). Median survival time for all the patients was seven months, eight in primary cases versus six in recurrent ones, and eight months in patients after initial therapy. Complications appeared in 53.85%. Most frequent were the loss of the nephrostomy catheter in 37.61% and urinary tract infections in 19.6%. CONCLUSION: Improvement of renal function after PCN can be of clinical benefit in patients who might be cured or for prolonged palliative care. Azotemia seems to be poor prognostic sign.

A novel method for the functionalization of gamma-irradiated single wall carbon nanotubes with DNA.

In this work we describe a novel method for highly efficient functionalization of single wall carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) by DNA wrapping. Exposure of SWCNTs to gamma-irradiation (50 kGy) has lowered by one order of magnitude the amount of single stranded deoxyribonucleic acid (ssDNA) required for SWCNT modification. The resulting hybrids of gamma-irradiated SWCNTs and ssDNA were characterized by optical absorbance spectroscopy, Raman spectroscopy and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. Atomic force microscopy was used to investigate the morphology of hybrids. While gamma-irradiation in three different media has significantly improved the process of SWCNT dispersion, irradiation in ammonia was the most efficient. The gamma-irradiated SWCNTs functionalized with ssDNA were stabilized by electrostatic forces. This preliminary study suggests that gamma-irradiation can significantly improve the functionalization of SWCNTs with DNA.

Urinary PSA level and relative tumor volume after prostate biopsy.

OBJECTIVES: To estimate the ratio between urinary prostate specific antigen (uPSA) and tumor volume after prostate biopsy. METHODS: From 2000 to July 2008, uPSA concentration was determined in 60 patients with clinically organ-confined prostate cancer (PCa). All patients underwent six-area transrectal ultrasound (TRUS)--guided biopsy, with at least 12 biopsy cores. Single pathologist determined tumor grade (G), Gleason score (GS), the percentage of tumor infiltration (% TI) and the percentage of positive cores (% PC) in all biopsy cores. Additionally, relative tumor-biopsy volume (RTV) was calculated by multiplying % PC, % TI and prostate ultrasound-derived volume (Vol). Forty-one patients underwent retropubic radical prostatectomy (RRP), while 19 patients underwent radiation therapy. RESULTS: Average uPSA was 308.6 +/- 311.9 ng/ml (range 0.06-988 ng/ml), average PSA was 9.7 +/- 5.5 ng/ml (range 1.2-24.3 ng/ml), tumor grade 1.7 +/- 0.8, Gleason score 5.2 +/- 1.3, the percentage of tumor infiltration 27.6 +/- 21.8%, and the percentage of positive cores, 52.2 +/- 30.7%. Average RTV was 6.3 +/- 8.4 ml (0.29-56 ml). All patients were divided in two groups: I, with RTV 4 ml and II, with RTV = 4 ml. The patients with RTV 4 ml had lower G (1.4 +/- 0.6 vs. 2.1 +/- 0.8, p = 0.0002), lower GS (4.5 +/- 1 vs. 5.8 +/- 1.3, p = 0.003) and higher uPSA (389.4 +/- 340.8 vs. 193.1 +/- 229.7, p = 0.014). There were no differences in serum PSA levels between the groups. CONCLUSION: Relative tumor-biopsy volume (RTV) is useful parameter in the preoperative assessment of tumor volume. Patients with higher RTV had significantly higher G and GS. However, these patients had significantly lower uPSA. This phenomenon could be the consequence of compromised PSA drainage from the peripheral zone of the prostate, caused by the tumor.

[Imaging capabilities in upper urothelial malignancies differentiation].

UNLABELLED: Aim of our study is to analyze sensitivity and specificity of imaging procedures in characterization upper urothelial malignancies, according to algorithm suggested by American Urology Association. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We analyzed 242 patients with kidney tumor masses who had been operated during 2006/2007 at Urological clinic in Belgrade. Due to pathohistological exam 210 patients had kidney parenchyma and 32 patients upper urothelial kidney tumor. RESULTS: According to tumor stage, computed tomography was sufficient and definitive diagnostic tool concerning both renal epithelial and upper urothelial malignancy. Only in four cases 1.60% (4/242; CT in 3/4, MRI 1/4) preoperative site of origin was different from histopathology findings. This mislead to inappropriate surgery plan. CONCLUSION: Familiarity with limitations and capabilities of imaging modalities is crucial for appropriate diagnosis. It should respect algorithm but has to be individual adapted.

[How to prevent tissue overgrowth and incrustation of metal stents in the urinary tract in patients with pelvic malignancy] b ].

At the current level of stent application in urology each irreversible urostasis contraindicated for surgical therapy implies consideration of indications for metal stent insertion. Stent incrustation which leads directly into a new uroobstruction is a characteristic complication of this method. Available experience in different uroobstructive conditions has shown that very different clinical aspects of stent usage may directly determine the possibility of their incrustation. Stent incrustation may occur in the early postprocedural course or several months later. After that, prevention of stent incrustation starts with postprocedural evaluation, selection of the stent type, and it is subsequently continued by insertion technique and lasts practically permanently after the insertion (infection control, promotion of diuresis and maintenance of normal urodynamics). Authors present own experianse in clinical aplication of metal stents in uroradiology strictures for period of last 15 years.

[Postoperative radiotherapy of cervival carcinoma: treatment results and analysis of prognostic factors].

The purpose of the study was to evaluate the efficacy of postoperative radiotherapy (RT) and to investigate prognostic factors for early-stage cervical cancer patients. We reviewed the medical records of 162 cervical cancer patients treated by RT during 2003 year. RT included 30-45 Gy of external photons to pelvis in 12-25 fractions. Brachytherapy with 192Ir was delivered in 3-5 fractions to a dose of 27-32 Gy. The mean age was 49 years (range 27-71). Majority of patients 130 had Stage Ib. Radical hysterectomy with lymphadenectomy was performed in 122 pts. and simple hysterectomy in 40 pts. The 5-year actuarial overall survival (OS) for all patients was 92.6% and disease-free survival (DFS) was 90.9%.There was statistically significant differences in OS and DFS in pat. with positive vs. negative pelvic lymph nodes; tumor 4 cm vs. tumor < or = 4 cm; positive vs. negative surgical margin/residual tumor (p < 0.05). Late GIT complications were determined in 35.8% and UT in 12.3%. In conclusion, postoperative radiotherapy has achieved high-satisfactory survival with acceptable complications. The survival benefit was less evident among patients with positive lymph nodes, tumor > 4 cm and positive surgical margin/residual tumor.

[Implementation of 3D- CT based brachytherapy in the postoperative radiotherapy of cervical cancer: treatment technique and dose-volume parameters].

Intracavitary brachytherapy has an important roll in developing complications in postoperative radiotherapy of cervical cancer. 3D- CT based brachytherapy gives precisely estimating doses to organ at risk. In this study, we show our preliminary results in implementation of 3D-imaging based postoperative brachytherapy of cervical cancer: treatment technique and dose-volume parameters. During 2009 year, in 6 patients with early stage I-II of cervical cancer, brachytherapy treatment planning was based on the radiographs and CT imaging brachytherapy technique. Mean values of ICRU reference points of rectum was R max 4,2 Gy and bladder B max 4,5 Gy, while estimated volume-dose parameters D0.1 cm3 D1.0 cm D2.0 cm3 were presented with higher dose.Volume of organ at risk reflected the need for better bladder preparation. Our initial experience in performing CT-based brachytherapy, enabled us to introduce the characteristics of the parameters, assessment of their significance from the aspect of mutual relations applicators and organs at risk. Further analysis are needed, for monitoring the effects of 3D planning on complications.

Genetic diversity and structure of the West Balkan Pramenka sheep types as revealed by microsatellite and mitochondrial DNA analysis.

Several different phenotypes of the native Pramenka sheep have been developed in the Balkan region for different environmental and socio-cultural conditions. Animals from seven West Balkan Pramenka sheep types were analysed for 15 microsatellite markers and for mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) and the results were used to assess genetic variation within and among the types and to infer the genetic population structure of the Pramenka sheep. Mean expected heterozygosity and allelic richness over the microsatellite loci and sheep types were 0.78 and 7.9, respectively. A Bayesian statistical method for estimating hidden genetic structure suggested that a core of the largest panmictic population was formed by Serbian, Kosovan, Bosnian, Montenegrin and Albanian types, while Croatian and Macedonian types comprised two other main populations, respectively. Mitochondrial DNA analysis revealed two mtDNA haplogroups in the Pramenka sheep, B and A, with a frequency of 93.7% and 6.3%, respectively. A total of 60 mtDNA haplotypes were found in 64 animals sequenced, and the mean nucleotide and haplotypic diversities over the types were 0.013 and 0.945, respectively. Molecular analysis suggests that the West Balkan Pramenka sheep types have their origins in two distinct maternal lineages of domestic sheep and different Pramenka phenotypes tend to form few panmictic populations. The Pramenka sheep represents a valuable resource of genetic diversity in sheep.