Evaluation of osteopontin and CA125 in detection of epithelial ovarian carcinoma.

The objective of this study was to determine the potential of osteopontin (OPN) and OPN + CA125 (cancer antigen 125) combination in differential diagnosis of the ovarian cancers and non-malignant ovarian disease. Serum and plasma samples were obtained preoperatively from 79 women undergoing surgery for pelvic mass; 48 of them had ovarian carcinoma, and 31 had benign cyst. The samples were analyzed for the levels of OPN and CA 125 (using ELISA and CMIA methods) and then compared with the final pathologic results. The median plasma level of OPN in patients with benign and malignant cysts was 356.33 ng/ml and 865.15 ng/ml, respectively (p < 0.001). Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis for plasma OPN revealed the area under the curve (AUC) of 0.838. At the predefined specificity of 90%, OPN showed sensitivity of 62.5%, whereas the combination of OPN + CA125 reached 74.9% at the same specificity.

Construction and functional analysis of novel dominant-negative mutant of human SOX18 protein.

SOX18 transcription factor plays important roles in a range of biological processes such as vasculogenesis, hair follicle development, lymphangiogenesis, atherosclerosis, and angiogenesis. In this paper we present the generation of a novel SOX18 dominant-negative mutant (SOX18DN) encoding truncated SOX18 protein that lacks a trans-activation domain. We show that both wild-type SOX18 (SOX18wt) and truncated human SOX18 proteins are able to bind to their consensus sequence in vitro. Functional analysis confirmed that SOX18wt has potent trans-activation properties, while SOX18DN displays dominant-negative effect. We believe that these SOX18wt and SOX18DN expression constructs could be successfully used for further characterization of the function of this protein.

Preventive medical protection in the Armed Forces of Yugoslavia during military conflicts.

Some experiences in preventive medical protection in the Armed Forces of the Yugoslav People's Army (Y.P.A.) in the blockade and combat operations in 1991 are presented. In garrisons which were in the total blockade the basic life-needs were threatened and in the same time personnel was exposed to combat operations of enemy forces. Owing to alterness and discipline of the whole staff the basic hygienic measures of health protection were maintained. In units which were engaged in combat operations the hygienic prophylactic measures were conducted based on our doctrinal principles in preventive medical protection. The decrease in the incidence of infectious diseases and lack of epidemics point to the successfully applied protection. The health service provided protection both of people and refugees and also a significant help was extended to the units of the Armed Forces.

[The effect of a 3-day fast on psychophysical functions in young people]. / Uticaj trodnevnog gladovanja na psihofizicku sposobnost mladih ljudi.

Presented are results of the effect of a complete three-day fasting with permitted optional water intake on some anthropometric, biochemical-metabolic and functional parameters significant in the assessment of psychophysical fitness of healthy, well-developed and normally-nourished young men aged 19.5 years in average. It was found that a three-day complete fasting with average daily energy expenditure of 14.89 MJ resulted in significant body mass reduction, significant glycemia and respiratory quotient decrease, significant blood urea, keto-bodies and triglyceride levels increase and in significantly reduced endurance at strenuous physical work performance.

[Nutritional status, physical development and physical fitness of soldiers before and after training]. / Uhranjenost, razvijenost i fizicka sposobnost vojnika pre i posle obuke.

Results of nutritional status, physical development and fitness examination in 414 infantrymen from 4 garrisons have been presented. Examinations have been undertaken in two phases: immediately after entering the army and at the end of the military service. Somatometric values and physical fitness results suggest the positive effect of training and nutrition on nutritional status, physical development and fitness of soldiers.