HIV risks among female sex workers in Croatia and Montenegro

The study analyzed the prevalence and determinants of HIV-risks among female sex workers (FSWs) in Croatia and Montenegro. Face-to-face interviews were carried out in Zagreb, Split, and Podgorica during the 2006-2008 period. Croatian participants (n = 154) reported fewer clients, more consistent condom use, higher rates of HIV testing, and greater HIV knowledge. The participants interviewed in Montenegro (n = 119) were more likely to have injected drugs and to have experienced sexual abuse in the previous year. Although Montenegrin FSWs were more exposed to HIV-risks than Croatian FSWs, they reported lower HIV-risk self-assessment. Consistent condom use was significantly associated with education and HIV-risk self-assessment in the Croatian and the experience of physical/sexual abuse in the Montenegrin sample. In spite of a number of methodological limitations, the empirical insights provided by this study may assist in improving the existing HIVV prevention initiatives.     

Psychophysical characteristics of the premenstrual period

Aim of this study was to investigate psychophysical characteristics of the premenstrual period in regard to the period following menstruation. Psychophysical characteristics are defined as assessments of the physical state (fatigue, breast tenderness, bloating and lack of sleep), emotional state (happiness, anger, sadness, irritability, anxiety and distraction) and general assessments of physical attractiveness and satisfaction with oneself Diary of psychophysical characteristics was designed for this study as well as a socio-demographic questionnaire and a menstrual cycle calendar. 51 healthy, non-help-seeking women, aged 21-46 kept a diary of psychophysical characteristics a week before menstruation and four days one week after the onset of menstruation, during two menstrual cycles. The premenstrual period is characterized by the intensification of negative emotional states, the decline of positive emotional states, and the worsening of the general self-image through the decline of the perception of physical attractiveness and satisfaction with oneself In conclusion, the premenstrual period is not marked only by the mood-swings but also by the changes in the cognitive representation of self     

Effect of Encapsulated Probiotic Starter Culture on Rheological and Structural Properties of Natural Hydrogel Carriers Affected by Fermentation and Gastrointestinal Conditions

The suitability of natural hydrogel carriers with probiotic starter culture as whey beverages supplements was examined by assessing their rheological and structural changes during the fermentation and gastrointestinal conditions. Effect of encapsulated cells on the carrier structure is of great importance for the selection of proper material for the preparation of functional supplements. The structural changes of the chitosan-coated alginate/whey carriers were considered based on (1) cell viability and the carrier average volume vs. time (2) the storage and loss modulus vs. time obtained under low oscillator strain conditions, (3) FTIR analysis and (4) SEM cross-sectional observation of the hydrogel carriers. The presence of chitosan coating and fermentation conditions increased cell viability up to 9.01 ± 0.18 (log CFU/g). According to our results, the encapsulated cells induce weakening of carriers under the gastric conditions but improve their mechanical stability under the intestinal condition. The mechanical behaviour of carriers was also considered in order to formulate the rheological constitutive model equation for describing the irreversible structural changes under the gastric and intestinal conditions. The cell leakage under the gastric condition after the 2 h was less than 5%. Carriers are rapidly degraded under the intestinal condition which ensures the release of cells and provides their beneficial effects on the host health. Our results indicate that this type of coated carrier is suitable to be used for encapsulation of probiotic starter culture in the production of fermented whey-based products.

     

ERRγ enhances UCP1 expression and fatty acid oxidation in brown adipocytes

Objective:

Estrogen‐related receptors (ERRs) are important regulators of energy metabolism. Here we investigated the hypothesis that ERRγ impacts on differentiation and function of brown adipocytes.

Design and Methods:

We characterize the expression of ERRγ in adipose tissues and cell models and investigate the effects of modulating ERR? activity on UCP1 gene expression and metabolic features of brown and white adipocytes.

Results:

ERRγ was preferentially expressed in brown compared to white fat depots, and ERRγ was induced during cold‐induced browning of subcutaneous white adipose tissue and brown adipogenesis. Overexpression of ERRγ positively regulated uncoupling protein 1 (UCP1) expression levels during brown adipogenesis. This ERRγ‐induced augmentation of UCP1 expression was independent of the presence of peroxisome proliferator‐activated receptor coactivator‐1 (PGC‐1α) but was associated with increased rates of fatty acid oxidation in adrenergically stimulated cells. ERR? did not influence mitochondrial biogenesis, and its reduced expression in white adipocytes could not explain their low expression level of UCP1.

Conclusions:

Through its augmenting effect on expression of UCP1, ERRγ may physiologically be involved in increasing the potential for energy expenditure in brown adipocytes, a function that is becoming of therapeutic interest.

     

Integrative proteomic and microRNA analysis of primary human coronary artery endothelial cells exposed to low-dose gamma radiation

High doses of ionising radiation significantly increase the risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD), the vascular endothelium representing one of the main targets. Whether radiation doses lower than 500 mGy induce cardiovascular damage is controversial. The aim of this study was to investigate radiation-induced expression changes on protein and microRNA (miRNA) level in primary human coronary artery endothelial cells after a single 200 mGy radiation dose (Co-60). Using a multiplex gel-based proteomics technology (2D-DIGE), we identified 28 deregulated proteins showing more than ±1.5-fold expression change in comparison with non-exposed cells. A great majority of the proteins showed up-regulation. Bioinformatics analysis indicated “cellular assembly and organisation, cellular function and maintenance and molecular transport” as the most significant radiation-responsive network. Caspase-3, a central regulator of this network, was confirmed to be up-regulated using immunoblotting. We also analysed radiation-induced alterations in the level of six miRNAs known to play a role either in CVD or in radiation response. The expression of miR-21 and miR-146b showed significant radiation-induced deregulation. Using miRNA target prediction, three proteins found differentially expressed in this study were identified as putative candidates for miR-21 regulation. A negative correlation was observed between miR-21 levels and the predicted target proteins, desmoglein 1, phosphoglucomutase and target of Myb protein. This study shows for the first time that a low-dose exposure has a significant impact on miRNA expression that is directly related to protein expression alterations. The data presented here may facilitate the discovery of low-dose biomarkers of radiation-induced cardiovascular damage.     

Specific electromagnetic effects of microwave radiation on Escherichia coli

The present study investigated the effects of microwave (MW) radiation applied under a sublethal temperature on Escherichia coli. The experiments were conducted at a frequency of 18 GHz and at a temperature below 40°C to avoid the thermal degradation of bacterial cells during exposure. The absorbed power was calculated to be 1,500 kW/m(3), and the electric field was determined to be 300 V/m. Both values were theoretically confirmed using CST Microwave Studio 3D Electromagnetic Simulation Software. As a negative control, E. coli cells were also thermally heated to temperatures up to 40°C using Peltier plate heating. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) analysis performed immediately after MW exposure revealed that the E. coli cells exhibited a cell morphology significantly different from that of the negative controls. This MW effect, however, appeared to be temporary, as following a further 10-min elapsed period, the cell morphology appeared to revert to a state that was identical to that of the untreated controls. Confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM) revealed that fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC)-conjugated dextran (150 kDa) was taken up by the MW-treated cells, suggesting that pores had formed within the cell membrane. Cell viability experiments revealed that the MW treatment was not bactericidal, since 88% of the cells were recovered after radiation. It is proposed that one of the effects of exposing E. coli cells to MW radiation under sublethal temperature conditions is that the cell surface undergoes a modification that is electrokinetic in nature, resulting in a reversible MW-induced poration of the cell membrane.     

First results of Intracor procedure in Croatia

This study reports early outcomes of a cohort of presbyopic patients treated with Intracor. The study took place from December 2010 to May 2011 and was conducted in University Eye Hospital "Svjetlost", Zagreb, Croatia. 95 eyes were enrolled in this prospective clinical trial (49 patients with non dominant eye and 23 with bilateral treatment). All patients gave informed consent prior to enrollment. Follow up consisted of uncorrected and corrected distant and near visual acuity, record of topographic changes, visual disturbances and patient satisfaction at 1 week, 1 and 3 months after the surgery. In this study Intracor procedure presented as both safe and effective with all eyes gaining several lines of uncorrected near visual acuity (UNVA), and achieving good uncorrected distant visual acuity(UDVA) as well. UDVA was affected by a mild myopic shift, which was effective in reducing mild preexisting hyperopia in some patients but led to a mild myopic outcome in previously emmetropic patients. Statistically significant improvement in UDVA and UNVA was observed in all time points. At 3 months of postoperative follow up all patients gained several lines of UNVA with monocular UNVA Jaeger system 1.67 +/- 0.28. UDVA showed slight improvement over time and initial myopic shift showed tendency of slight decrease with all patients achieving 1.0. Overall patients satisfaction was very high (98%) with only a few (3 patients, 5 eyes) reporting mild halo and glare at 3 months postop.Intracor procedure has proven its short-term safety and efficacy in treating presbyopia. However, longer follow up period is needed.     

Liposomal solubilization of new 3-hydroxy-quinolinone derivatives with promising anticancer activity: a screening method to identify maximum incorporation capacity

Four new 3-hydroxy-quinolinone derivatives with promising anticancer activity could be solubilized using liposomes as vehicle to an extent that allows their in vitro and in vivo testing without use of toxic solvent(s). A screening method to identify the maximum incorporation capacity of hydrophobic drugs within liposomes was successfully applied. The compounds and lipid(s) were dissolved in methanol, and the solvent was removed by rotary evaporation. The film was resuspended with phosphate buffer (pH 7.4), and the dispersion was sonicated to reduce vesicle size. Ultracentrifugation was used to separate liposome-associated drug from free (i.e., precipitated) drug, and the amount of drug incorporated within the liposomes was quantified using high-performance liquid chromatography. All four compounds were found to be significantly incorporated within soy phosphatidylcholine (SPC) liposomes, resulting in a 200-500-fold increase in apparent solubility. Drug-to-lipid ratios in the range of 2-5 μg/mg were obtained. Interestingly, the four quinolinone derivatives have shown different association tendencies with liposomes, probably due to the physicochemical properties of the different group bonded in position 2 of the quinolinone ring. None of the alternative lipids/lipid blends tested incorporated as much drug as SPC. Photon correlation spectroscopy analyses indicated that use of ultrasounds produced an efficient reduction in liposome size. The present approach appears suitable for incorporation capacity studies of any lipophilic drug in liposomes.     

Influenza vaccine and learning in C57BL mice with an acute experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis

Literature data suggest possible link between influenza vaccination and development of autoimmune processes. Therefore, the aim of the study was to investigate the effect of influenza vaccination on spatial learning in mice with experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE). EAE was induced in eight-week-old C57BL/6J female mice by subcutaneous immunization (MOG_35–55 in complete Freund’s adjuvant) and Pertussis vaccine injected intraperitoneally. Mice were vaccinated with influenza vaccine three days before MOG immunization. The hippocampal-dependent spatial learning test, Morris Water Maze test (MWM), was performed before and after EAE induction. Significant difference (P < 0.05) in the time for completing the Morris Water Maze task was found between mice with mild clinical signs of EAE when compared to other mice. However no significant difference was observed between mice with EAE and mice with EAE that were vaccinated with influenza vaccine. Hippocampal tissue lesions in EAE mice are in correlation with memory impairment. Study shows no influence of influenza vaccine on progression of clinical signs of EAE, spatial learning and memory impairment.