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Copyright of Glasnik Zastite Bilja is the property of Zadruzna Stampa D.D. and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Glasnik Zastite Bilja is the property of Zadruzna Stampa D.D. and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Glasnik Zastite Bilja is the property of Zadruzna Stampa D.D. and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

We investigate the rheological properties of microliter quantities of the spinning material extracted ex vivo from the major ampullate gland of a Nephila clavipes spider using two new micro-rheometric devices. A sliding plate micro-rheometer is employed to measure the steady-state shear viscosity of ~1 µl samples of silk dope from individual biological specimens. The steady shear viscosity of the spinning solution is found to be highly shear- thinning, with a power-law index consistent with values expected for liquid crystalline solutions. Calculations show that the viscosity of the fluid decreases 10-fold as it flows through the narrow spinning canals of the spider. By contrast, measurements in a microcapillary extensional rheometer show that the transient extensional viscosity (i.e. the viscoelastic resistance to stretching) of the spinning fluid increases more than 100-fold during the spinning process. Quantifying the properties of native spinning solutions provides new guidance for adjusting the spinning processes of synthetic or genetically engineered silks to match those of the spider. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nitrates are an effective ergogenic supplement; however, the effects of nitrate supplements based on habitual dietary nitrate intake through diet alone are not well understood. We aimed to assess this in a group of 15 highly trained football players from Slovenian football's First Division. Participants underwent two separate Cooper performance tests either with nitrate supplementation (400 mg nitrates) or placebo while having their nutrition assessed for nitrate intake, as well as energy and macronutrient intake. Nitrate supplementation had a statistically significant positive effect on performance if baseline dietary nitrate intake was below 300 mg ( p = 0.0104) in both the placebo and intervention groups. No effects of nitrate supplementation when baseline dietary nitrate intake was higher than 300 mg in the placebo group could be concluded due to the small sample size. Nitrate supplementation did not have a significant effect on perceived exertion. The daily nitrate intake of the participants was measured at 165 mg, with the majority of nitrates coming from nitrate-rich vegetables.

This is the first study to examine the nutritional status of professional Slovenian football players. This study aimed to analyze the dietary intake of elite football players during their preparation phase of the season and to investigate whether there is a relationship between energy and macronutrient intake with body composition and physical performance. Twenty-three footballers completed a three-day dietary and physical activity diary and underwent body composition measurements via bioelectrical impedance vector analysis (BIVA). Fifteen participants also took part in the Cooper treadmill test to assess their physical performance in correlation with their nutritional intake. Football players had an energy intake that was significantly too low for their needs, reflecting low energy availability. The average carbohydrate (CHO) intake was below the Union of European Football Associations (UEFA) recommendations, i.e., <4 g CHO/kg body weight (BW). Additionally, players had adequate intakes of protein and fat, and inadequate intakes of saturated fat, fiber, calcium and vitamin D. There was a positive correlation between protein intake and lean body mass. Additionally, a negative correlation was observed between body fat mass and carbohydrate intake as well as between performance with the percentage of energy intake from fat. Results of this study highlight what aspects of nutrition might be improved upon in professional football players to maximize performance, longevity and body composition of athletes, as well as the necessity of a nutritionist role in this process.

In this study, estimation capacities and optimization of a dye concentration sensing model by an adapted neuro-fuzzy inference system (ANFIS) as well as central composite design coupled with response surface methodology using a plastic optical fiber (POF) based sensor were investigated. Various diameters d of POF were used for sensing different concentrations of Remazol Black B (RBB), which acts as a sensing medium of the process. The efficiency of sensing was studied as a function of three independent variables: diameter of POF, concentration of RBB dye, and initial temperature of the solution. First, the independent parameters were fed as inputs to an ANFIS, and the output of the system was the output intensity of dye ratio to output the intensity of distilled water. ANFIS showed that this established model is reliable for a dye concentration sensing process and is mainly influenced by its diameter.

Background: In order to optimize the identification of persons with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), several algorithms for hepatic steatosis were developed. These available algorithms, as well as an algorithm, derived using biochemical and anthropometric data of our participants, are compared in a cross-sectional pilot study., Material and Methods: We included 77 participants with abdominal obesity: 43 with NAFLD and 33 without NAFLD. Body mass index (BMI), waist circumference (WC) and hip circumference (HC), systolic and diastolic blood pressure were assessed. Fibrinogen, high sensitive C-reactive protein (hsCRP), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine transaminase (ALT), gamma-glutamyl transferase (GGT), uric acid, ferritin, glucose, insulin, homocysteine, lipid status parameters, apolipoprotein A-I, apolipoprotein B and Lp(a)-lipoprotein were measured. Fatty liver was assessed by ultrasound with the presence or absence of hepatic steatosis. Discovering the most significant factor in the presence of NAFLD is assessed through logistic regression modeling. The predictor variables were chosen according to an algorithm derived from conducted factor analysis and other available algorithms for hepatic steatosis., Results: Participants with NAFLD had significantly higher BMI (34.38 ± 9.73 vs 28.05 ± 4.79 kg/m 2 , p =0.001), WC (108.05 ± 11.47 vs 96.15 ± 14.27 cm, p =0.001), HC (114.93 ± 11.01 vs 108.21 ± 9.82 cm, p =0.050), systolic (128.98 ± 8.67 vs 122.42 ± 10.62 mmHg, p =0.010) and diastolic blood pressure (83.64 ± 5.94 vs 78.33 ± 7.57 mmHg, p =0.001), AST (23.93 ± 6.91 vs 21.70 ± 5.21 U/L, p =0.014), ALT (30.50 ± 13.70 vs 23.00 ± 11.75 U/L, p =0.007), hsCRP (4.34 ± 5.56 vs 2.98 ± 2.34mg/l, p =0.004) and uric acid (358.02 ± 83.29 vs 296.78 ± 84.54µmol/l, p =0.001), in comparison non NAFLD. Logistic regression model with algorithm derived from factor analysis showed the best performance. From other available algorithms, only fatty liver index (FLI) and hepatic steatosis index (HSI) had statistically significant discriminatory power.   Conclusions: Elevation of WC, HC, BMI, DBP, SBP, Fbg, hsCRP, glucose, and uric acid, incorporated in our hepatic steatosis prediction model, had the best predictive power among all assessed algorithms. HIPPOKRATIA 2018, 22(1): 10-16., Competing Interests: The authors state that they have no financial interests and conflict of interests to disclose regarding any of the products or methods used in this study. This research did not receive any specific grant from funding agencies in the public, commercial, or not-for-profit sectors.

Circulating tumor cells (CTCs) are known to be a harbinger of cancer metastasis. The CTCs are known to circulate as individual cells or as a group of interconnected cells called CTC clusters. Since both single CTCs and CTC clusters have been detected in venous blood samples of cancer patients, they needed to traverse at least one capillary bed when crossing from arterial to venous circulation. The diameter of a typical capillary is about 7µm, whereas the size of an individual CTC or CTC clusters can be greater than 20µm and thus size exclusion is believed to be an important factor in the capillary arrest of CTCs - a key early event in metastasis. To examine the biophysical conditions needed for capillary arrest, we have developed a custom-built viscoelastic solid-fluid 3D computational model that enables us to calculate, under physiological conditions, the maximal CTC diameter that will pass through the capillary. We show that large CTCs and CTC clusters can successfully cross capillaries if their stiffness is relatively small. Specifically, under physiological conditions, a 13µm diameter CTC passes through a 7µm capillary only if its stiffness is less than 500Pa and conversely, for a stiffness of 10Pa the maximal passing diameter can be as high as 140µm, such as for a cluster of CTCs. By exploring the parameter space, a relationship between the capillary blood pressure gradient and the CTC mechanical properties (size and stiffness) was determined. The presented computational platform and the resulting pressure-size-stiffness relationship can be employed as a tool to help study the biomechanical conditions needed for capillary arrest of CTCs and CTC clusters, provide predictive capabilities in disease progression based on biophysical CTC parameters, and aid in the rational design of size-based CTC isolation technologies where CTCs can experience large deformations due to high pressure gradients., (Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Unlabelled: GLYCATED HEMOGLOBIN STRUCTURE AND SYNTHESIS OF MOLECULE: Glycated hemoglobin A1c, the major fraction of glycated hemoglobin, is formed by irreversible nonenzymatic glycation. Its concentration depends only on the life span of red blood cells and blood glucose levels. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE OF GLYCATED HEMOGLOBIN A1c: It is the key parameter for monitoring the regulation of diabetes and for assessing the risk of microvascular complications. It is a diagnostic criterion for diabetes as well. Its concentration reflects the average value of blood glucose over the last two to three months. The estimated average glucose, a new parameter which facilitates the patient's self-monitoring of diabetes, can be calculated from its value. METHODS FOR DETERMINING GLYCATED HEMOGLOBIN A1c AND THEIR STANDARDIZATION: Immunoassay and ion-exchange chromatography are commonly used methods for the glycated hemoglobin determination in routine laboratory practice. The advantage of immunoassay is that there is no need for the sample pre-treatment in order to eliminate unstable glycated hemoglobin A1c intermediary forms, and the possibility of false positive results is lower. The current program of standardization requires traceability to the International Federation of Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory Medicine reference method. REPORTING AND INTERPRETATION OF RESULTS OF GLYCATED HEMOGLOBIN A1c DETERMINATION: Glycated Hemoglobin A1c can be reported as % or as mmol/mol. In our country, it is recommended to use the International Federation of Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory Medicine units (mmol/mol). When interpreting the results, the potential causes of falsely high or low values must always be taken into consideration., Recommendations for Clinical Practice: Periodic determinations of glycated hemoglobin A1c are recommended for monitoring of diabetes regulation. Additionally, the determination is recommended for the diagnosis of diabetes. The target value for the prevention of microvascular complications is < 7% and the diagnostic criterion for diabetes is 6.5%.

The networking infrastructure of wireless mesh networks (WMNs) is decentralized and relatively simple, but they can display reliable functioning performance while having good redundancy. WMNs provide Internet access for fixed and mobile wireless devices. Both in urban and rural areas they provide users with high-bandwidth networks over a specific coverage area. The main problems affecting these networks are changes in network topology and link quality. In order to provide regular functioning, the routing protocol has the main influence in WMN implementations. In this paper we suggest a new routing protocol for WMN, based on good results of a proactive and reactive routing protocol, and for that reason it can be classified as a hybrid routing protocol. The proposed solution should avoid flooding and creating the new routing metric. We suggest the use of artificial logic-i.e., neural networks (NNs). This protocol is based on mobile agent technologies controlled by a Hopfield neural network. In addition to this, our new routing metric is based on multicriteria optimization in order to minimize delay and blocking probability (rejected packets or their retransmission). The routing protocol observes real network parameters and real network environments. As a result of artificial logic intelligence, the proposed routing protocol should maximize usage of network resources and optimize network performance.

Cells communicate through shed or secreted ligands that traffic through the interstitium. Force-induced changes in interstitial geometry can initiate mechanotransduction responses through changes in local ligand concentrations. To gain insight into the temporal and spatial evolution of such mechanotransduction responses, we developed a 3-D computational model that couples geometric changes observed in the lateral intercellular space (LIS) of mechanically loaded airway epithelial cells to the diffusion-convection equations that govern ligand transport. By solving the 3-D fluid field under changing boundary geometries, and then coupling the fluid velocities to the ligand transport equations, we calculated the temporal changes in the 3-D ligand concentration field. Our results illustrate the steady-state heterogeneities in ligand distribution that arise from local variations in interstitial geometry, and demonstrate that highly localized changes in ligand concentration can be induced by mechanical loading, depending on both local deformations and ligand convection effects. The occurrence of inhomogeneities at steady state and in response to mechanical loading suggest that local variations in ligand concentration may have important effects on cell-to-cell variations in basal signaling state and localized mechanotransduction responses., (Copyright © 2010 Biophysical Society. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Mechanotransduction may occur through numerous mechanisms, including potentially through autocrine signaling in a dynamically changing extracellular space. We developed a computational model to analyze how alterations in the geometry of an epithelial lateral intercellular space (LIS) affect the concentrations of constitutively shed ligands inside and below the LIS. The model employs the finite element method to solve for the concentration of ligands based on the governing ligand diffusion-convection equations inside and outside of the LIS, and assumes idealized parallel plate geometry and an impermeable tight junction at the apical surface. Using the model, we examined the temporal relationship between geometric changes and ligand concentration, and the dependence of this relationship on system characteristics such as ligand diffusivity, shedding rate, and rate of deformation. Our results reveal how the kinetics of mechanical deformation can be translated into varying rates of ligand accumulation, a potentially important mechanism for cellular discrimination of varying rate-mechanical processes. Furthermore, our results demonstrate that rapid changes in LIS geometry can transiently increase ligand concentrations in underlying media or tissues, suggesting a mechanism for communication of mechanical state between epithelial and subepithelial cells. These results underscore both the plausibility and complexity of the proposed extracellular mechanotransduction mechanism.