Red-Light Transmittance Changes in Variegated Pelargonium zonale-Diurnal Variation in Chloroplast Movement and Photosystem II Efficiency.

Chloroplast movement rapidly ameliorates the effects of suboptimal light intensity by accumulating along the periclinal cell walls, as well as the effects of excess light by shifting to the anticlinal cell walls. These acclimation responses are triggered by phototropins located at the plasma membrane and chloroplast envelope. Here, we used a recently developed non-invasive system sensitive to very small changes in red light leaf transmittance to perform long-term continuous measurements of dark-light transitions. As a model system, we used variegated Pelargonium zonale leaves containing green sectors (GS) with fully developed chloroplasts and achlorophyllous, white sectors (WS) with undifferentiated plastids, and higher phototropin expression levels. We observed biphasic changes in the red-light transmittance and oscillations triggered by medium intensities of white light, described by a transient peak preceded by a constant decrease in transmittance level. A slight change in red-light transmittance was recorded even in WS. Furthermore, the chloroplast position at lower light intensities affected the rapid light curves, while high light intensity decreased saturated electron transport, maximum quantum efficiency of photosystem II, and increased non-photochemical quenching of chlorophyll fluorescence and epidermal flavonoids. Our results extend the knowledge of light-dependent chloroplast movements and thus contribute to a better understanding of their role in regulating photosynthesis under fluctuating light conditions.

Can early hyperglycemia affect the morbidity/mortality of very low birth weight premature infants?

BACKGROUND: The study aimed to examine the effect of early hyperglycemia on the morbidity/mortality of very low birth weight premature infants. METHODS: This retrospective study included all premature infants with gestational age ≤32 gestational weeks, hospitalized at the Department of Intensive Neonatal Care, Clinical Center Kragujevac, during the period 2017-2019. Hyperglycemia was defined as glycemia of ≥12 mmol/l in one measurement, or > 10 mmol/l in two measurements, at repeated intervals of 2-4 hours. Glycemia was determined from capillary blood, using a gas analyzer of Gem Premier 3000, during the first 7 days of life. Continuous intravenous insulin infusion was administered after ineffective glucose restriction at glycemic values of > 14 mmol/l. RESULTS: Patients with normoglycemia (41/72 (56.94%)) and hyperglycemia (31/72 (43.06%)) did not differ in gender, gestational age, mode of delivery and antenatal administration of steroids, while birth weight had a tendency to be lower in the hyperglycemic group (p=0.052). Hyperglycemia was significantly associated with a low APGAR score at the fifth minute (p=0.048), necrotizing enterocolitis (p=0.011), and shorter duration of mechanical ventilation (p=0.006). Hyperglycemia was associated with significantly more frequent fatal outcomes (35.5%) when compared with the normoglycemic group (4.9%). Accordingly, these patients required inotropic (r=0.036) and insulin therapy (r < 0.001) more often. Retinopathy of prematurity, bronchopulmonary dysplasia and sepsis did not correlate with hyperglycemia in our study. Intraventricular hemorrhage of the first degree was more often associated with normoglycemia in premature infants on prolonged mechanical ventilation while more severe intracranial hemorrhage was more common in the hyperglycemic group but did not result in statistical significance due to the small number of patients. CONCLUSIONS: Monitoring glucose levels in the blood of very low birth weight premature infants is clinically important because abnormalities in glucose homeostasis can have serious short-term and long-term consequences.

Antibiotic Susceptibility of Staphylococcus Species Isolated in Raw Chicken Meat from Retail Stores.

The study was aimed at evaluating the presence of antibiotic-resistant Staphylococcus aureus in retailed raw chicken meat from retail stores intended for human consumption. The presence, characterization, and antibiotic susceptibility of S. aureus from 38 retail raw chicken meat samples was performed using a standard microbiological method involving mannitol salt agar (MSA) and Mueller-Hinton agar (MHA). All the samples were positive for Staphylococcus species, of which 34 (89.5%) were positive for S. aureus. The S. aureus isolates were most resistant to tetracycline (88.24%), erythromycin (82.35%), and chloramphenicol (61.77%). Nevertheless, decreased resistance towards gentamycin (23.53%) and cotrimoxazole (38.24%) were recorded. All the S. aureus isolates in this study were resistant to cloxacillin, amoxicillin, and augmentin (amoxicillin + clavulanic acid). The present findings show how the raw chicken meat samples could be a potential source of multidrug-resistant S. aureus strains dissemination. Therefore, this study suggests high-level contamination of meat with multidrug-resistant S. aureus and highlights the public health consequences of consuming such products. Undoubtedly, uncontrolled drugs in food animal production as growth stimulators or medicinal treatment present a possible consequence to people's health. Having the aforementioned in mind, there is a necessity to control the use of drugs and monitor any residues left in the food intended for human consumption.

Tetraaquabis(D-camphor-10-sulfonato)calcium(II).

The structure of the title compound, [Ca(C(10)H(15)O(4)S)(2)(H(2)O)(4)], is the first example in which two D-camphor-10-sulfonate anions are coordinated to a metal ion, in this case with direct Ca-O bonding. The molecule has crystallographically imposed twofold symmetry with the Ca atom on the twofold axis. Hydrogen bonds are formed between the coordinated water molecules and the O atoms of the SO(3)(-) groups of adjacent molecules, leading to the formation of a two-dimensional layered network. The compound displays sharp wavelength-selective transparency in the UV-visible spectrum, offering the potential for application as an optical filter.

Hexaaqua-magnesium(II) bis-(d-camphor-10-sulfonate).

The structure of the title complex, [Mg(H(2)O)(6)](C(10)H(15)O(4)S)(2), consists of regular octa-hedral [Mg(H(2)O)(6)](2+) cations and d-camphor-10-sulfonate anions. A three-dimensional supra-molecular architecture is formed via hydrogen-bond inter-actions [O-H⋯O = 2.723 (2)-2.833 (2) Å] to give alternating layers of [Mg(H(2)O)(6)](2+) cations and d-camphor-10-sulfonate anions. The title compound is isomorphous with the zinc, copper, cadmium and nickel analogues.

Naloxone Antagonizes Soman-induced Central Respiratory Depression in Rats.

The influence of naloxone on respiration impaired by the highly toxic organophosphate nerve agent soman in anaesthetized rats was investigated. Soman, administered in a dose that was ineffective in blocking the electrically induced contractions of the phrenic nerve-diaphragm preparation in situ, induced a complete block of the spontaneous respiratory movements of the diaphragm, indicating the domination of central over the peripheral effects. Naloxone dose-dependently antagonized the soman-induced respiratory blockade. Atropine, at a dose that was per se ineffective in counteracting soman-induced respiratory depression, potentiated the protective effects of naloxone and completely restored respiration. Naloxone remained completely ineffective in antagonizing respiratory depression induced by the muscarinic receptor agonist the oxotremorine. It is assumed that naloxone antagonizes soman-induced respiratory inhibition by blocking endogenous opioidergic respiratory control pathways that are independent of the stimulation of muscarinic receptors.

Ace/actn3 genetic polymorphisms and athletic performance of female soccer players` / Polimorfismos genéticos em ace/actn3 e desempenho atlético de atletas de futebol feminino / Polimorfismos genéticos en ace/actn3 y desempeño atlético de atletas de fútbol femenino

ABSTRACT Objective: Previous studies have shown controversial relationships between ACE and ACTN3 gene polymorphisms and sports performance. Thus, the aim of our study was to assess anaerobic and aerobic performance indicators of young female soccer players with different ACE/ACTN3 gene profiles. Methods: Twenty-seven female soccer players aged 16-18 underwent acceleration, speed, strength, anaerobic power and aerobic endurance tests and had their ACE and ACTN3 polymorphisms determined. Results: Based on genetic analysis, they were divided into the following groups: ACE II (n=2), ACE ID (n=11), ACE DD (n=14), ACTN3 XX (n=5), ACTN3 RR (n=7) and ACTN3 RX (n=15). ACE DD and ACE ID groups differed significantly in terms of results achieved on the 5 m sprint test (1.15±0.05 s vs 1.10±0.05 s, P=0.42). ACTN3 RR and RX achieved better results than the ACTN3 XX group in seven continuous vertical jumps (26.57±1.59 cm vs 25.77±2.51 cm vs 22.86±1.16 cm, respectively; P=0.007 for RR vs XX and P=0.021 for RX vs XX). Conclusion: High prevalence of ACE DD and ACTN3 RX genotypes in our subjects may suggest that faster and more powerful young females tend to perform better in soccer. Nevertheless, the absence of differences in most of the physical test results indicates that different genotypes are compatible with high-level soccer performance, meaning that it is the phenotype-genotype interaction that makes a successful female soccer player. Level of Evidence I, Prognostic studies — Investigating the effect of a patient characteristic on disease outcome.

RESUMO Objetivo: Estudos anteriores mostraram relações controvertidas entre os polimorfismos dos genes ACE e ACTN3 e desempenho esportivo. Assim sendo, o objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar os indicadores de desempenho anaeróbico e aeróbico de jovens futebolistas do sexo feminino com diferentes perfis dos genes ACE/ACTN3. Métodos: Vinte e sete jogadoras com idade entre 16 e 18 anos realizaram testes de aceleração, velocidade, força, potência anaeróbica e resistência aeróbica e os polimorfismos de seus genes ACE e ACTN3 foram determinados. Resultados: Com base na análise genética, elas foram divididas nos seguintes grupos: ACE II (n = 2), ACE ID (n = 11), ACE DD (n = 14), ACTN3 XX (n = 5), ACTN3 RR (n = 7) e ACTN3 RX (n = 15). Os grupos ACE DD e ACE ID diferiram significativamente quanto aos resultados obtidos no sprint test de 5 metros (1,15 ± 0,05 s vs. 1,10 ± 0,05 s, P = 0,42). Os grupos ACTN3 RR e RX atingiram resultados melhores do que o grupo ACTN3 XX em sete saltos verticais contínuos (26,57 ± 1,59 cm vs. 25,77 ± 2,51 cm vs. 22,86 ± 1,16 cm, respectivamente; P = 0,007 para RR vs. XX e P = 0,021 para RX vs. XX). Conclusão: A alta prevalência de genótipos RX em ACE DD e ACTN3 em nossa amostra pode sugerir que as jovens atletas mais rápidas e com maior potência tendem a ter melhor desempenho no futebol. No entanto, a ausência de diferença na maioria dos resultados dos testes físicos indica que genótipos distintos são compatíveis com o desempenho futebolístico de alto nível, o que significa que é a interação fenótipo-genótipo que faz uma jogadora de futebol ser bem-sucedida. Nível de Evidência I, Estudos prognósticos - Investigação do efeito de característica de um paciente sobre o desfecho da doença.

RESUMEN Objetivo: Estudios anteriores mostraron relaciones controvertidas entre los polimorfismos de los genes ACE y ACTN3 y desempeño deportivo. Siendo así, el objetivo de este estudio fue evaluar los indicadores de desempeño anaeróbico y aeróbico de jóvenes futbolistas del sexo femenino con diferentes perfiles de los genes ACE/ACTN3. Métodos: Veintisiete jugadoras con edad entre 16 y 18 años realizaron tests de aceleración, velocidad, fuerza, potencia anaeróbica y resistencia aeróbica y fueron determinados los polimorfismos de sus genes ACE e ACTN3. Resultados: Con base en el análisis genético, ellas fueron divididas en los siguientes grupos: ACE II (n = 2), ACE ID (n = 11), ACE DD (n = 14), ACTN3 XX (n = 5), ACTN3 RR (n = 7) y ACTN3 RX (n = 15). Los grupos ACE DD y ACE ID difirieron significativamente cuanto a los resultados obtenidos en el sprint test de 5 metros (1,15 ± 0,05 s vs. 1,10 ± 0,05 s, P = 0,42). Los grupos ACTN3 RR y RX alcanzaron resultados mejores que el grupo ACTN3 XX en siete saltos verticales continuos (26,57 ± 1,59 cm vs. 25,77 ± 2,51 cm vs. 22,86 ± 1,16 cm, respectivamente; P = 0,007 para RR vs. XX y P = 0,021 para RX vs. XX). Conclusión: La alta prevalencia de genotipos RX en ACE DD y ACTN3 en nuestra muestra puede sugerir que las jóvenes atletas más rápidas y con mayor potencia tienden a tener mejor desempeño en el fútbol. Sin embargo, la ausencia de diferencia en la mayoría de los resultados de los tests físicos indica que genotipos distintos son compatibles con el desempeño futbolístico de alto nivel, lo que significa que es la interacción fenotipo-genotipo que hace que una jugadora de fútbol sea exitosa. Nivel de Evidencia I, Estudios pronósticos - Investigación del efecto de característica de un paciente sobre el desenlace de la enfermedad.

Sex differences in anatomical parameters of acetabulum among asymptomatic Serbian population.

BACKGROUND/AIM: Anatomical parameters of the bony components of the hip joint are essential for better understanding of etiopathogenesis of diseases like primary osteoarthrosis of the hip joint. The aim of this reserch was to examine the normal acetabular morphometry in Serbian population and to determine whether there are sex differences in anatomical parameters of the acetabulum among asymptomatic subjects. METHODS: Pelvic radiographics of 320 adult asymptomatic patients (640 hips) were analyzed in 170 men and 150 women to determine the morphology of the acetabulum in Serbian population. For each hip the center edge angle of Wiberg (CEA), the acetabular angle of Sharp (AA), acetabular depth (AD), acetabular roof obliquity (ARO) and roof angle (RA) were measured. RESULTS: The following average measurements for acetabulum geometry were obtained (x +/- SD): CEA - 33.5 +/- 6.5 degrees (33.6 +/- 5.8 degrees in male, 33.3 +/- 6.9 degrees in female), AA - 38.0 +/- 3.8 degrees (37.5 +/- 3.6 degrees in male, 38.5 +/- 3.9 degrees in female), AD - 11.9 +/- 2.8 mm (12.5 +/- 2.7 mm in male, 11.2 +/- 2.7 mm in female), ARO - 7.6 +/- 5.7 degrees (6.2 +/- 4.9 degrees in male, 9.0 +/- 6.0 degrees in female) and RA - 18.4 +/- 10.0 degrees (19.6 +/- 8.5 degrees in male, 17.1 +/- 9.5 degrees in female). There were significant differences in the CEA, AA, AD, ARO and RA related to gender (p < 0.01, t-test). CONCLUSION: There are significant gender differences in Serbian population for all the examined anatomical parameters of acetabulum. We found sex-related differences in acetabular morphology, female acetabulum being marginally more dysplastic than male acetabulum. There is also a clear tendency of female hips to be more dysplastic than male ones.

Neurons of human nucleus accumbens.

BACKGROUND/AIM: Nucleus accumbens is a part of the ventral striatum also known as a drug active brain region, especially related with drug addiction. The aim of the study was to investigate the Golgi morphology of the nucleus accumbens neurons. METHODS: The study was performed on the frontal and sagittal sections of 15 human brains by the Golgi Kopsch method. We classified neurons in the human nucleus accumbens according to their morphology and size into four types: type I--fusiform neurons; type II--fusiform neurons with lateral dendrite, arising from a part of the cell body; type III--pyramidal-like neuron; type IV--multipolar neuron. The medium spiny neurons, which are mostly noted regarding to the drug addictive conditions of the brain, correspond to the type IV--multipolar neurons. RESULTS: Two regions of human nucleus accumbens could be clearly recognized on Nissl and Golgi preparations each containing different predominant neuronal types. Central part of nucleus accumbens, core region, has a low density of impregnated neurons with predominant type III, pyramidal-like neurons, with spines on secondary branches and rare type IV, multipolar neurons. Contrary to the core, peripheral region, shell of nucleus, has a high density of impregnated neurons predominantly contained of type I and type IV--multipolar neurons, which all are rich in spines on secondary and tertiary dendritic branches. CONCLUSION: Our results indicate great morphological variability of human nucleus accumbens neurons. This requires further investigations and clarifying clinical significance of this important brain region.

[Morphology of neurons of human subiculum proper].

Subiculum proper is an archicortical structure of the subicular complex and presents the place of origin of great majority of axons of the whole hippocampal formation. In contrast to the hippocampus which has been intensively studied, the data about human subiculum proper are quite scarce. The aim of our study was to identify morphological characteristics of neurons of the human subiculum proper. The study was performed on 10 brains of both genders by using Golgi impregnation and Nissl staining. The subiculum has three layers: molecular, pyramidal and polymorphic layer. The dominant cell type in the pyramidal layer was the pyramidal neurons, which had pyramidal shaped soma, multiple basal dendrites and one apical dendrite. The nonpyramidal cells were scattered among the pyramidal cells of the pyramidal layer. The nonpyramidal cells were classified on: multipolar, bipolar and neurons with triangular-shaped soma. The neurons of the molecular layer of the human subiculum were divided into groups: bipolar and multipolar neurons. The most numerous cells of the polymorphic layer were bipolar and multipolar neurons.

Synthesis and characterization of new Pt(II) and Pd(II) complexes with 2-quinolinecarboxaldehyde selenosemicarbazone: cytotoxic activity evaluation of Cd(II), Zn(II), Ni(II), Pt(II) and Pd(II) complexes with heteroaromatic selenosemicarbazones.

New complexes of Pt(II) and Pd(II) with 2-quinolinecarboxaldehyde selenosemicarbazone were synthesized and characterized by elemental analysis, NMR and IR spectroscopy and molar conductivity measurements. The assumed geometry of Pt(II) and Pd(II) complexes was square planar where the ligand was tridentately coordinated via the quinoline and imine nitrogen atoms and the selenium atom. The cytotoxic activity of the new Pt(II) and Pd(II) compounds, as well as of some previously synthesized Cd(II), Zn(II) and Ni(II) complexes with the same or analogous ligand, was tested against a panel of three human cancer cell lines: human cervix carcinoma cells (HeLa), human melanoma cells (FemX) and breast cancer cells (MDA-361). All investigated compounds, except Pt(II) complex, possess a strong dose-dependent cytotoxic activity of the same order of magnitude as cisplatin (CDDP). The investigation of potential of these compounds to induce HeLa cell cycle perturbations was also evaluated.