Perylenetetracarboxylic diimide (PTCDI) nanowires for sensing ethyl acetate in wine.

We report the application of perylenetetracarboxylic diimide (PTCDI) nanowires for sensing ethyl acetate. The conductivity of the crystalline nano/microwires increases quickly and selectively in the presence of ethyl acetate vapor, but not with water, acid and alcohol vapors, suggesting that the nanowires of PTCDI may be used for monitoring ethyl acetate during a wine manufacturing process.

Self-Assessment of Health among the Citizens of Serbia in the Transition Period.

BACKGROUND: The aim of the research was to compare the differences between the self-assessment of the health in the latest National Health Surveys research and in the one before that. METHODS: We used the database of the latest National Health Survey in the Republic of Serbia (2013) and of the one before that (2006), as cross-sectional studies (n=29485). Logistic regression was used to predict the relationship between self-assessment of health and independent predictors. RESULTS: Health condition of the interviewees improved according to their self-assessment. With aging respondents who poorly assessed their health; women assessed their health 1.7 and 1.6 times poorer in the latest research and in the one before that respectively. The odds ratio in patients diagnosed with some disease in the previous 12 months ranged from 2.15 (1.85 - 2.51) to 4.03 (3.22 - 5.05) in the latest research. The strongest predictor was sick leave in the past 12 months with 95% CI = 3.19 (1.87-5.44) in the latest research and 95% CI = 2.27 (1.67-3.08) in the one before that. CONCLUSION: There was an improvement of the health condition of individuals. Female interviewees, less educated, unemployed, the ones who have some disease and who were on a sick leave rated their health as bad.

Human cartilage glycoprotein 39--biomarker of joint damage in knee osteoarthritis.

Human glycoprotein of cartilage (YKL-40) synthesizes chondrocytes and synovial cells in inflammatory conditions or remodels the outer cell matrix in osteoarthritis. The aim of this study was to conduct a parallel analysis between thickness of cartilage and length of osteophytes, ultrasound indicators of joint destruction, with levels of YKL-40 in serum in patients with primary osteoarthritis. Ultrasound findings and concentration of YKL-40(ng/ml) were examined in 88 patients. The average value cartilage thickness measured on medial condyles of the femur was 1.30 +/- 0.23 mm and on lateral was 1.39 +/- 0.27 mm. Median YKL-40 in patients with shorter osteophytes was 62.0 (44.5-90) ng/ml, and with longer osteophytes was 119 (range 80-171) ng/ml (p = 0.000). YKL-40 can be a marker for the appearance of longer osteophytes (sensitivity = 79.1%; specificity = 61.9%; cut off = 75.0 ng/ml). The duration of illness is very much connected to values of YKL-40 (r = 0.651, p = 0.000). After an illness duration of five years, the concentration of YKL-40 was 83.68 +/- 33.65 ng/ml, after ten years it was 138.22 +/- 48.88 ng/ml, and after 15 and 20 years it was 209.30 +/- 79.36 ng/ml and 218.50 +/- 106.51 ng/ml, respectively. Higher concentrations of YKL-40 indicate the level of cartilage destruction and can be used for assessment of destruction.

Vitamin D Deficiency and Associated Factors in Patients with Mental Disorders Treated in Routine Practice.

This research aimed to investigate factors associated with vitamin D deficiency and to provide data about its prevalence in patients suffering from different psychiatric illnesses. The study had a cross-sectional design and it included 220 patients of both genders, aged from 19-81 y, with a wide range of mental disorders (F00-F89), and treated in routine ambulatory and hospital practice. The researchers collected data from three sources: medical records, a study questionnaire and biochemical analysis of patients' serum samples (concentration of vitamin D measured as 25(OH)D, calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, sodium and potassium). Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, methods for hypothesis testing and binary logistic regression, at the p≤0.05 level. A total of 140 patients (64%) had a deficiency of vitamin D (<12 ng/mL), and 45 (20%) had inadequate vitamin D serum levels (12-20 ng/mL), while 35 (16%) had sufficient vitamin D serum concentrations (>20 ng/mL). Among variables related to demographics, life style habits, mental illness, comorbid disorders and drugs, two of them, female gender (odds ratio (OR)=2.5, 95% confidence interval (CI)=1.3-4.9, p=0.006) and using clozapine (OR=15.6, 95% CI 1.7-144.7, p=0.02), were significantly associated with vitamin D deficiency. Physical activity (OR= 0.4, 95% CI 0.2-0.9, p=0.02), exercising (OR=0.2, 95% CI <0.1-0.7, p=0.02) and offal in the diet (OR=0.5, 95% CI 0.3-0.9, p=0.03) significantly aggregated in the patients who had a 25(OH)D serum concentration above the deficiency cut-off level. Patients with mental disorders are at high risk for vitamin D deficiency, particularly females and clozapine users as well as those having no adequate physical activity or dietary habits.

Clinical Benefits of n-3 PUFA and ɤ-Linolenic Acid in Patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis.

(1) Background: Marine n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) and ɤ-linolenic acid (GLA) are well-known anti-inflammatory agents that may help in the treatment of inflammatory disorders. Their effects were examined in patients with rheumatoid arthritis; (2) Methods: Sixty patients with active rheumatoid arthritis were involved in a prospective, randomized trial of a 12 week supplementation with fish oil (group I), fish oil with primrose evening oil (group II), or with no supplementation (group III). Clinical and laboratory evaluations were done at the beginning and at the end of the study; (3) Results: The Disease Activity Score 28 (DAS 28 score), number of tender joints and visual analogue scale (VAS) score decreased notably after supplementation in groups I and II (p < 0.001). In plasma phospholipids the n-6/n-3 fatty acids ratio declined from 15.47 ± 5.51 to 10.62 ± 5.07 (p = 0.005), and from 18.15 ± 5.04 to 13.50 ± 4.81 (p = 0.005) in groups I and II respectively. The combination of n-3 PUFA and GLA (group II) increased ɤ-linolenic acid (0.00 ± 0.00 to 0.13 ± 0.11, p < 0.001), which was undetectable in all groups before the treatments; (4) Conclusion: Daily supplementation with n-3 fatty acids alone or in combination with GLA exerted significant clinical benefits and certain changes in disease activity.

Measurement of serum prostate cancer markers using a nanopore thin film based optofluidic chip.

Currently used cancer marker for prostate adenocarcinoma (PC), serum prostate-specific antigen (PSA), greatly overestimates PC population. Patients with high PSA levels have to undergo unnecessary but physically painful and expensive procedure such as prostate biopsies repeatedly. The reliability of PC test can be greatly increased by finding a protein that is secreted selectively by malignant, but not normal, prostate cells. A recently discovered novel protein, referred as neuroendocrine marker (NEM), is secreted only by malignant prostate cells and released in blood circulation. Although NEM seems to be significantly more reliable based on the data obtained from a limited cohort, currently available NEM ELISA is not suitable for undertaking a large study. Therefore, the goal of the present study was to develop an alternative, label-free assay system that can reliably measure NEM and PSA in patient samples. Herein an optofluidic chip that can reliably detect PSA as well as NEM in patient samples has been developed. The optofluidic chip, which consists of arrayed nanopore-based sensors fabricated from anodic aluminum oxide (AAO) thin film, offers improved sensitivity upon the optimization of the concentration of the detector antibodies immobilized on the sensor surface. The results demonstrate that the chip is reliable, extremely sensitive and requires just 1 µl of patient serum (or even less) to measure PSA and NEM even in a non-cancer individual. Compared with the traditional ELISA for PSA, the nanopore-based sensor assay is 50-100 fold more sensitive, and offers many advantages such as elimination of labeled antigen, need for sophisticated equipment and highly trained individuals. These advantages, along with the low cost, should make the technology suitable for point-of-care application to screen elderly male populations for PC and to monitor the progress of patients undergoing PC treatment.

Laryngeal Manifestation of Forestier's Disease.

BACKGROUND: Forestier's disease is a rare disorder involving bony growths that can occur in various parts of the spinal column, mostly asymptomatic, but these osteophytes, very rarely have been associated with serious complications. AIM: We report a 69-year-old man who was admitted at foniatric departement for evaluation of presenting hoarseness, dysphagia and laborious breathing. CASE PRESENTATION: Noninvasive endolaryngeal imaging and radiological examination revealed distortion of left side of the larynx pushing to the right due to bony mass of the anterior part of cervical spine which was prominent at the left side. The symptoms of the patient presented were caused by Forestier's disease as found by the imiging. CONCLUSIONS: In clinical practice it is advisable to take into consideration Forestier's disease as a possible cause of hoarseness and dysphagia in rare cases.

Evaluation of the effects of different supplementation on oxidative status in patients with rheumatoid arthritis.

Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic inflammatory disease. Reactive oxygen species have been considered as aggravating factors for autoimmune diseases. Fatty acids had been linked in reduction of various diseases by augment of their antioxidant potential and antiinflammatory mechanisms. The aim of this study was to assess the oxidative status in patients with rheumatoid arthritis who used concentrated fish oil only or concentrated fish oil in combination with evening primrose oil in a period of 3 months. Subjects were divided into three groups. The group I consists of patients who had been taking only their regular rheumatologic therapy; group II, patients who had been taking concentrated fish oil; and group III, patients who had been taking concentrated fish oil and evening primrose oil. Peripheral blood samples were used for all the assays. We assessed the following oxidative stress markers: index of lipid peroxidation (thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances (TBARS)), hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), superoxide anion radical (O2 (-)), nitric oxide (NO), superoxide dismutase activity (SOD), catalase activity (CAT), and glutathione levels (GSH) in erythrocytes. There were no statistically significant changes for any of the oxidative stress parameters in group I. In group II, levels of TBARS, NO2 (-), and GSH were increased, while levels of H2O2 decreased. Increased values of TBARS, NO2 (-), and SOD were found in group III. Our findings indicate that intakes of fish oil and evening primrose oil may be of importance in mitigation of inflammation, disease activity, and oxidative stress biomarkers, through increased activities of antioxidant enzymes.

Granulomatosis with polyangitis (Wegener's) and central nervous system involvement: case report.

INTRODUCTION: Granulomatosis with polyangitis (Wegener's) is an antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody (PR3-ANCA)-associated vasculitis, which commonly involves the upper and lower respiratory tracts and kidneys. Central nervous system involvement is reported in less than 11%, and rarely present at onset. CASE OUTLINE: We report the case of a 41-year-old male patient with a high disease activity, large organ involvement, as well as central nervous system manifestations presented at onset.Treatment with intravenous pulse methylprednisolone, followed by the pulsed doses of cyclophosphamide was induced. After 6 months of cyclophosphamide pulse therapy a remission was achieved. Next, azathioprine was used for maintenance during the next 18 months.There were no disease flares during 24-month follow-up. CONCLUSION: Granulomatosis with polyangitis (Wegener's) with large organ involvement, affecting the central nervous system structures require a rapid diagnosis and intensive medication treatment in order to prevent or reduce irreversible damage. Our experience confirms the findings reported in the literature that the severe forms of the disease are associated with increased probability of achieving remission, which reflects increased responsiveness of such patients to immunosuppressant therapy.

Late-onset systemic lupus erythematosus: clinical features, course, and prognosis.

There are contradictory opinions if late-onset systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is associated with a different, more benign disease course and better prognosis than early-onset SLE. The objective of this study was to evaluate the clinical manifestations, course, treatment, and prognosis of late-onset SLE. Patients who developed SLE after/or at the age of 50 years were considered late-onset SLE and compared to a group of randomly selected patients aged younger than 50 years at the diagnosis, matched for disease duration. Lower frequency of cutaneous manifestations (p = 0.01) and higher frequency of cytopenias (p = 0.02) were registrated at the SLE onset in the late-onset group. Atypical clinical presentation of SLE contributed to a longer delay of diagnosis in late-onset SLE patients (p = 0.005), who fullfiled less American College of Rheumatology criteria at the diagnosis (p = 0.022). Cumulative incidence of clinical manifestations showed lower frequency of cutaneous (p = 0.017), neuropsychiatric manifestations (p = 0.021), lupus nephritis (p = 0.006), and higher frequency of Sjogren's syndrome (p = 0.025) in the late-onset group. Late-onset SLE patients received lower doses of corticosteroid (p = 0.006) and cyclophosphamide (p = 0.001) and had more cyclophosphamide-induced complications (p = 0.005). Higher prevalence of comorbid conditions in the late-onset group (p = 0.025), and higher Systemic Lupus International Collaborating Clinics/American College of Rheumatology damage index was noticed (p = 0.018). Despite the less major organ involvement and more benign course of disease, late-onset SLE has poorer prognosis, because of the higher frequency of comorbid conditions and higher organ damage, due to the aging and longer exposition to a classical vascular risk factors.

[Sex as suicidal risk factor].

INTRODUCTION: The rates of suicide are two to three times higher in men than in women in all communities. This "gender paradox" can be explained by various factors, such as more impulsive nature of men and their choice of more efficient (more lethal) methods to commit suicide. This study was aimed at finding the correlation between the gender and other suicidal factors. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The study sample consisted of persons who committed suicide on the territory of Kragujevac in the period from 1996 to 2001. This study was based on the records kept by the Ministry of the Interior as well as by the Psychiatric Clinic of the Clinical Centre "Kragujevac". Data for weather were obtained from the Serbian Meteorological Institute reports. RESULTS: During the analyzed period 121 suicides were committed on the territory of Kragujevac. The gender structure showed that within persons who committed suicide there were 78.5% men and 21.5% women (p < 0.01). As for diseases which had existed before suicide, women suffered from the underlying psychic disorder in 65.3%, while 50.5% of men had both a psychic disorder and addiction problem. Hanging was the most frequently used method by both men and women (57.9% and 65.4%, respectively); and home was chosen as the place to commit suicide by 49.5% men and 42.3% women. Both men and women had a behaviour disorder before suicide, in 75.8% and 88.4% of the cases, respectively, (p < 0.01). The dominating motive was a disease in 17.9% of men, whereas family problems prevailed in 11.5% of women (p < 0.01). CONCLUSION: There is a statistically important difference between men and women considering pre-suicidal behaviour, suicidal motive and suicidal frequency.

Cartilage oligomeric matrix protein - inflammation biomarker in knee osteoarthritis.

Chondrocytes and synovial cells synthesize Cartilage Oligomeric Matrix Protein (COMP) when activated by proinflammatory cytokines. The aim of this study was to analyze and compare ultrasound parameters of joint inflammation, effusion and synovitis with the levels of COMP in the serum of patients with primary osteoarthritis. Ultrasound was done and the concentration of COMP (ng/mL was examined in 88 patients. 75% of patients had effusion (size 10.13±4.35 mm), 62.5% had effusion in lateral recessus (LR), 28.4% (size 8.53±2.27 mm) in suprapatelar (SR), and 27.3% (size 11.38±4.44 mm) in medial (MR). 67% of patients had synovitis size 4.84±3.57 mm in SR, 3.15±1.86 mm in MR; and 6.09±2.80 mm in LR. 17.0% of patients had nodular type of synovitis, 30.7% had diffusive, and 19.3% nodular - diffusive. There was a significant link between the size of synovitis and effusion in SR (r = 0.966, p = 0.000), MR (r = 0.812, p = 0.009) and LR (r = 0.886, p = 0.003). The median of COMP concentration was 54 (44.5-58) ng/mL in patients without effusion. In those with effusion it was 57 (48.75-64.25) ng/mL (p = 0.030). Without synovitis it was 52 (45.5-58) ng/mL, with synovitis 58 (50-66) ng/mL, (p = 0.006), diffusion type synovitis 60 (50-67) ng/mL, nodular 57 (50-62) ng/mL, nodular-diffusion 54 (44.5-66.5) ng/mL (p = 0.014). With longer osteophytes the median of COMP was 56 (48-64) ng/mL, with shorter osteophytes 55 (46.5-59) ng/mL (p = 0.000). Cartilage oligomeric matrix protein has a moderate significance in the assessment of disturbance of the metabolism of synovial and cartilage tissue in patients with knee osteoarthritis (sensitivity = 59%; specificity = 50%; cut off = 53.5 ng/mL).

[Inflammation in knee osteoarthrosis--cause of aggravation].

INTRODUCTION: Knee osteoarthrosis is a degenerative disease which induces intense trouble. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The aim of the study was the parallel analysis of clinical and ultrasound examination in patients diagnosed with knee osteoarthrosis. A group of 88 patients underwent the clinical examination and the outflow and size of flexion were determined, the intensity of pain was assessed by the patient's mark on VAS, the functional ability by HAQ index, and the size of effusion and synovitis by arthrosonography. RESULTS: The minimal outflow was diagnosed in 34.1% of patients, medium in 22.7%, and significant in 4.5%. Synovitis was evident in 67% of patients, 17.0% had nodular, 30.7% diffuse and 19.3% nodular-diffuse type. Effusion was observed in 75% of patients. The average size of synovitis in suprapatellar recess (SR) in the patients with significant, medium and lateral outflow was 6.68 (2.93-10.04) mm (p = 0.000), 1.57 (0-5.53) mm (p = 0.006) and 6.18 (3.44-7.10) mm (p = 0.000), respectively. The grade of pain on VAS was the highest in patients with significant outflow 70 (60-95) (p = 0.014), effusion 60 (50-80) (p = 0.024) and nodular type of synovitis 70 (50-90) (p = 0.029). There was a significant correlation on VAS in the positive direction with the size of effusion (r = 0.238, p = 0.025) and synovitis in LR (r = 0.215, p = 0.044), HAQ index (r = 0.502, p = 0.000), and in the negative direction with the size of flexion (r = -0.346, p = 0.001). The average size of flexion in the patients with significant outflow was 90 (82.5-90) degrees (p = 0.000), HAQ index 1.99 (1.49-2.30) (p = 0.078). HAQ index depended on effusion in LR in the positive direction (p = 0.014). DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: Clinically significant outflow is shown by arthrosonography as the biggest in SR, moderate and minimal only in LR. Moderate or significant outflow, effusion and nodular type of synovitis lead to intensive pain. Patients with bigger functional disability had intense pain, significant outflow in LR and significantly limited motions.

[Detection of bone erosions in knee osteoarthrosis by serum biomarkers].

INTRODUCTION: Osteoarthrosis (OA) is a degenerative chronic disease characterized by destruction of joint articular cartilage and subchondral bone with formation of osteophytes and usuries on joint surface. Quantitative and dynamic changes in remodeling of joint tissue reflect matrix molecules that dismiss as fragments in joint liquid, blood and urine where they can be detected. Human cartilage glycoprotein (YKL-40) is synthesised by chondrocytes and synovial cells and plays a significant role in remodel tissue. OBJECTIVE: The aim of the paper was the parallel analysis and determination of the degree of correlation between ultrasound indicators destruction of joints, bone erosion (usuries), and serum YKL-40 concentrations in patients with primary osteoarthrosis of the knee. METHODS: The analysis included 88 patients with the diagnosis of knee OA. Ultrasound review of knees was done by two rheumatologists. The analysis of serum samples determined the concentration of YKL40 by ELISA method. RESULTS: The average age of patients was 69.97 +/- 9.37 years, duration of knee OA 6.46 +/- 6.73 years. The mean value of age in 59 patients with usuries was 72.05 +/- 7.74, at 29 without usuries 65.75 +/- 11.00 (p = 0.003). The average value (median) thickness cartilage in medial condyl femur (front access) in patients with usuries was 1.25 mm (1.12-1.36 mm), without usuries 1.35 mm (1.20-1.51 mm) (p = 0.016). The central YKL40 value of biomarkers in the patients without usuries was 81 ng/ml (46.5-120.5 ng/ml), with usuries the medial condyil 138 ng/ml (89.5-175.0 ng/ml), the lateral 106 ng/ml (63.0-201.5 ng/ml) and both condyl 86 ng/ ml (69.75-140.5 ng/ml) (p = 0.004). The central value YKL40 after 5 year-duration of disease was 83.68 +/- 33.65 ng/ml, after 10 years 138.22 +/- 48.88 ng/ml, after 15 years 209.30 +/- 79.36 ng/ml, and after 20 years 218.50 +/- 106.51 ng/ml (p = 0.000). The biomarker YKL 40 may be a marker for usuries (area 0.691, p = 0.004; confidence interval 0.574-0.808). If you took the optimal cut-off of 84.5 ng/ml, then YKL40 sensitivity to the usuries was 69.5%, and specificity 51.7%. CONCLUSION: Increased concentrations of biomarkers YKL40 may be an indicator of the degree of destructive changes in the knee osteoarthrosis.

[Arthrosonography and biomarkers in the evaluation of destructive knee cartilage osteoarthrosis].

INTRODUCTION: Knee osteoarthrosis (OA) is a degenerative disease with progressive loss of cartilage of joints and bone destruction. During this process, the release of fragments of connective tissue matrix is detected in the biological fluids such as human cartilage glycoprotein (YKL-40), cartilage oligomeric matrix protein (COMP) and collagen type I C terminal telopeptid (CTX-I). OBJECTIVE: The aim of the study was to determine the degree of connection cartilage thickness measured by ultrasound with serum concentrations of biomarkers YKL-40, COMP and CTX-I in patients with primary knee OA. METHODS: The analysis included 88 patients with the diagnosis of knee OA. Ultrasound examination of knees were done by two rheumatologists. The analysis of serum samples determined the concentration of COMP, YKL-40 and CTX-I by the ELISA method. RESULTS: The average age of patients was 69.97 +/- 9.37 years and the duration of knee OA 6.46 +/- 6.73 years. The average cartilage thickness of the femoral condyle was 1.33 +/- 0.20 mm; of the medial condyle (MC) (front access) 1.30 +/- 0.23 mm, (rear access) 1.30 +/- 0.29 mm and lateral condyli (LC) (front access) 1.39 +/- 0.27 mm. The average cartilage thickness of MC (front access) was 1.27 mm (0.98-1.42 mm), (rear access) 1.27 mm (0.84-1.46 mm) and LC (front access) 1.36 mm (1.01-1.57 mm) (p = 0.002). There was a significant connection in the negative direction between the patients' age and the cartilage thickness of MC (front and rear access) and LC (front access) (r = -0.253; p = 0.017). There was a significant negative direction of interrelationship between the cartilage thickness of MC (front access) (r = -0.259; p = 0.015) and LC (front access) and the disease duration (r = -0.259; p = 0.015). In patients with knee OA lasting for 5 years the measured cartilage thickness was 1.27 mm (1.16-1.49 mm), and 0.99 mm (0.94-1.23 mm) (p = 0.007) in those lasting for 20 years. There was a significant relationship in a negative direction between the concentration of YKL-40 and cartilage thickness of MC (front access) (r = -0.249; p = 0.019). CONCLUSION: The progressive loss of cartilage during the long-term evolution of osteoarthrosis is most extensive in the femoral MC. The increased serum levels of YKL-40 can be a good indicator of joint cartilage destruction.