Search

Centaurium erythraea Rafn. is a medicinal plant used as a model for studying plant developmental processes due to its developmental plasticity and ease of manipulation in vitro. Identifying the genes involved in its organogenesis and somatic embryogenesis (SE) is the first step toward unraveling the molecular mechanisms underlying its morphogenic plasticity. Although SE is the most common method of centaury regeneration, the genes involved in this have not yet been identified. The aim of this study was to identify the differentially expressed genes (DEGs) during key stages of SE and organogenesis using transcriptome data, with a focus on novel SE-related genes. The transcriptomic analysis revealed a total of 4040 DEGs during SE and 12,708 during organogenesis. Gene Ontology (GO) annotation showed that the highest number of SE-related genes was involved in defense responses. The expression of fifteen selected SE-related candidate genes was assessed by RT-qPCR across nine centaury developmental stages, including embryogenic tissues. Notably, a newly reported transcript, named CeNA1, was specifically activated during embryogenic callus (ec) induction, making it a potential novel marker for early SE. These findings provide, for the first time, insight into SE-related transcriptional patterns, representing a step closer to uncovering the molecular basis of centaury's developmental plasticity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Metabolic syndrome (MS) is a group of cardiovascular risk factors including hyperglycemia, elevated blood pressure, elevated triglycerides levels, central obesity, and low HDL cholesterol. Population studies results show MS to be useful in predicting cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. Objective: Examine the frequency and importance of metabolic syndrome and its components in outpatients. Methods: The study included 178 (71.26±8.93) outpatients, selected by random sample, 67 (71.24±9.5) men and 111 (71.28±11.29) women (p>0.05). Nutrition status was estimated based on anthropometric parameters (body height, body weight, waist circumference). Glycemia, HDL cholesterol, triglycerides, and blood pressure values were measured in all participants. The criteria of the American Heart Association (AHA/NHLBI) were used to diagnose MS. Results: MS was diagnosed in 42.7% of the patients, 31.6% of men and 68.4% of women. The incidence of MS was higher in women (47.7%) than men (35.8%) (p>0.05). In subjects with MS, three components were found in 51.3%, four components in 42.1% and five in 6.6%. Considering individual MS components, the increased waist circumference had the highest incidence of 92.1%. Among the patients with coronary heart disease (CHD), 10.2% had MS, and among those without MS only 1.96% (p

Glutamine synthetase (E.C. 6.3.1.2) is a key enzyme of plant nitrogen metabolism that assimilates ammonia into glutamine. The Arabidopsis thaliana genome encodes one chloroplastic (GLN2) and five cytosolic (GLN1;1 – GLN1;5) isoforms with different expression patterns, kinetic properties, regulation and functions. Physiological roles of different isoforms have been elucidated mainly by studying knockout mutants. However, the role of GLN1;5, which is expressed in dry seeds, remains unknown. To clarifty the function of GLN1;5, we studied a GLN1;5 knockout line (GLN1;5KO) homozygous for T-DNA insertion within the GLN1;5. GLN1;5 deficiency results in a phenotype with slightly delayed bolting and fewer siliques. The dry weight of GLN1;5KO seeds was 73.3% of wild-type (WT) seed weight, with seed length 90.9% of WT seeds. Finally, only 18.33% of the mutant seeds germinated in water within 10 days in comparison to 34.67% of WT seeds. KNO3 strongly stimulated germination of both GLN1;5KO and WT seeds, while germination in the presence of increasing NH4Cl concentrations potentiated the differences between the two genotypes. It can be concluded that GLN1;5 activity supports silique development and grain filling and that it has a role in ammonium reassimilation in the seed, as well as assimilation and/or detoxification of ammonium from the environment. [Project of the Serbian Ministry of Education, Science and Technological Development, Grant no. ON173024 and Grant no. ON173015]

Introduction. Excess body weight, especially when associated with increased visceral obesity, is the major cause of arterial hypertension. It has been found that the correlation between arterial blood pressure and obesity is significant but low. Objective. The aim was to determine frequency of hypertension and to examine the relationship between the body mass index (BMI) and the value of blood pressure in different categories of patients. Method. The study included 150 outpatients. Based on the value of BMI subjects were assigned to different obesity categories. Results. Obese people have a significantly higher incidence of hypertension (p 0.05) and a positive, minor correlation between BMI and diastolic pressure (r=0.145; p> 0.05). Conclusion. Positive correlation between body mass index (BMI) and systolic and diastolic blood pressure, significantly higher incidence of hypertension and findings of significantly higher systolic and diastolic pressure, in obese people, compared to people with normal weight, indicates that obesity is a significant risk factor for arterial hypertension.

Over 20% of all protein domains are currently annotated as “domains of unknown function” or DUFs. In a recently identified Centaurium erythraea arabinogalactan peptide, CeAGP3 (AGN92423), a conserved DUF1070 domain was found. Since identifying functions for DUFs is important in systems biology, we have analyzed the distribution and structure of DUF1070 domain (pfam06376) using a set of bioinformatics tools. There are 271 publically available DUF1070 members from 25 diverse families of vascular plants, and most are short sequences (50-100 aa). The N-terminal signal peptide (Nsp) was found in almost all complete sequences. In 233 sequences, at least two noncontiguous prolines were found as clustered dipeptides predicted to be hydroxylated and glycosylated with type II arabino-3,6-galactans, thus representing AG-II glycomodules. In addition, 35 sequences contained a region rich in basic residues (basic linker, BL). The N-terminal part of the DUF1070 domain is comprised of (part of) AG-II and/or BL, while the highly conserved C-terminus is a region of 26 aa, termed SH26. In 212 sequences, SH26 was a typical glycosylphosphatidylinositol lipid anchor signal peptide (GPIsp), but in 83 cases GPIsp was not predicted due to software constraints. In sequences where both Nsp and GPIsp were predicted, the length of mature peptides could be calculated, and it was 10-16 aa. Our analysis suggests that DUF1070 members are arabinogalactan (AG) peptides, of which the majority are GPI-anchored. DUF1070 is the only conserved domain found in classical arabinogalactan proteins and AG peptides. The SH26 region can be used for mining and annotation of AG peptides. [Projekat Ministarstva nauke Republike Srbije, br. ТR31019]

Primary and secondary ammonium assimilation is catalyzed by the glutamine synthetase-glutamate synthase (GS-GOGAT) pathway in plants. The Arabidopsis genome contains five cytosolic GS1 genes (GLN1;1 - GLN1;5), one nuclear gene for chloroplastic GS2 isoform (GLN2), two Fd-GOGAT genes (GLU1 and GLU2) and a GLT1 gene coding for NADH-GOGAT. Even though the regulation of GS and GOGAT isoforms has been extensively studied in response to various environmental and metabolic cues in many plant species, little is known about the effects of phytohormones on their regulation. The objective of this study was to investigate the impact of representative plant growth regulators, kinetin (KIN), abscisic acid (ABA), gibberellic acid (GA3) and 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D), on the expression of A. thaliana GS and GOGAT genes. The obtained results indicate that GS and GOGAT genes are differentially regulated by growth regulators in shoots and roots. KIN and 2,4-D repressed GS and GOGAT expression in roots, with little effect on transcript levels in shoots. KIN affected all tested genes; 2,4-D was apparently more selective and less potent. ABA induced the expression of GLN1;1 and GLU2 in whole seedlings, while GA3 enhanced the expression of all tested genes in shoots, except GLU2. The observed expression patterns are discussed in relation to physiological roles of investigated plant growth regulators and N-assimilating enzymes. [Projekat Ministarstva nauke Republike Srbije, br. ON173024]

Background/Aim. Children with type 1 diabetes typically spend one-third of the day in school and they should achieve the same level of diabetes management there as they do outside the school environment. The aim of this study was to identify problems in diabetes management in children with type 1 diabetes at school according to the perceptions reported by children and parents. Methods. This crosssectional survey was carried out at nine public hospitals in Serbia with a cohort of 6-18-year old children/adolescents. The parents were personally informed about the objectives of the survey and the necessity to involve their children. The self-reporting questionnaire included demographic information as well as some questions that helped to evaluate the general situation of children with type 1 diabetes at school. Results. The obtained results show that not all children test blood glucose levels at school (50% of children in the 6-10- year-old age group and 67.3% in the age group over 11 years) and that not all children receive insulin at school (81.1% vs 18.9%, and 57.7% vs 42.3%, respectively). The frequency of severe hypoglycemia was 2.7% in children and 3.3% in adolescents. A high proportion of teachers did not have diabetes training. Conclusion. This brief report about problems in children and adolescents with type 1 diabetes at school in Serbia indicates what happens in the school setting and suggests how to improve control of this disease and facilitate the complete integration of children with diabetes at school.

Introduction. Galactocele, generally occuring in young women during or after lactation, is an extremely rare cause of breast enlargement in infants and children of exclusively male gender. Only 26 cases have been published so far, including two our cases. Case report. We described unilateral, cystic, breast enlargement, without any endocrinologic and other abnormalities in a 29-month-old boy. A typical clinical and histopathologic presentation of galactocele was followed with a complete excision. Conclusion. This was a 27th well documented case of galactocele in a male infant with typical clinical and histopathologic presentation. There are several hypotheses regarding etiology of the lesion, but it is likely to be multifactorial. Because of its extreme rarity, there are some difficulties in differential diagnosis and treatment options of galactocele in male infants.

Background/Aim. Although total body irradiation (TBI) was considered to be the primary cause of thyroid dysfunction following hematopoietic stem cells transplantation (HSCT), a significant prevalence of subclinical hypothyroidism after HSCT with chemotherapy-only conditioning regimens has been observed in several studies. The aim of this study was to assess changes in thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) levels in children after HSCT, without the use of irradiation at any time in the course of the treatment. Methods. Our cohort consisted of 41 children and adolescents who underwent autologous or allogeneic HSCT and were available for follow-up for at least one year after transplantation. Irradiation was not performed in any of the subjects, neither during pretransplatation therapy, nor during conditioning. The median duration of follow-up was 2.9 years. The indications for HSCT were hematologic malignancy (41.5%), solid malignant tumor (34.1%), and other disorders (24.4%). The thyroid status of all the subjects was assessed prior to HSCT and after follow-up period. Results. Thyroid dysfunction after HSCT was present in 27 (65.8%) subjects. Subclinical hypothyroidism was the most common abnormality, presenting in 23 (56.1%) patients, primary hypothyroidism was present in one (2.4%) patient, while 3 (7.3%) subjects had low free T4 with normal TSH values. Significantly (p < 0.01) higher elevations in TSH levels were present in the patients who received chemotherapy for the underlying disease prior to HSCT. Conclusion. Our findings emphasize the need for long-term monitoring of thyroid function following HSCT, regardless of whether or not irradiation was used.

Background/Aim. An ideal insulin regimen for children and adolescents with type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) should be physiological, flexibile and predictable, protecting against hypoglycaemia. The aim of this study was to evaluate the influence of insulin analogues on glycaemic control and the occurrence of hypoglycaemic episodes in children and adolescents with T1DM. Methods. The study group consisted of 151 children and adolescents (90 boys, 61 girls) treated with human insulins for at least 12 months before introducing insulin analogues. All the patients were divided into two groups: the group I consisted of 72 (47.7%) patients treated with three injections of regular human insulin before meals and long-acting analogue (RHI/LA), and the group II of 79 (52.3%) patients treated with a combination of rapid-acting and long-acting analogue (RA/LA). The levels of glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) and the number of hypoglycaemic episodes were assessed at the beginning of therapy with insulin analogues, and after 6 and 12 months. Results. The mean HbA1c was significantly lower in the group I (RHI/LA) after 6 months (9.15% vs 8.20%, p < 0.001) and after 12 months (9.15% vs 8.13%, p < 0.001) as well as in the group II (RA/LA) after 6 months (9.40% vs 8.24%, p < 0.001) and after 12 months of insulin analogues treatment (9.40% vs 8.38%, p < 0.001). The frequency of severe hypoglycaemia was significantly lower in both groups after 6 months (in the group I from 61.1% to 4.2% and in the group II from 54.4% to 1.3%, p < 0.001), and after 12 months (in the group I from 61.1% to 1.4% and in the group II from 54.4% to 1.3%, p < 0.001). Conclusion. Significantly better HbA1c values and lower risk of severe hypoglycaemia were established in children and adolescents with T1DM treated with insulin analogues.

Introduction: The endemic species Nepeta cyrenaica Quézel & Zaffran, native to northeastern Libya, is valued as an important honey‐bearing plant. Objectives: This study was aimed to examine the micromorphology, phytochemistry, and bioactivity of in vitro‐propagated N. cyrenaica for the first time. Materials and Methods: The leaf indumentum was examined using light and scanning electron microscopy and further characterised for histochemistry. The chemical composition of essential oil (EO) was performed using GC‐MS analysis, while dichloromethane (DCM), methanol (ME), ethanol (ET), and aqueous (AQ) extracts were analysed using qualitative and quantitative LC/MS analyses. The antioxidant activities of EO and extracts were assessed using three parallel assays, while enzyme‐inhibiting effects were evaluated against four enzymes. Results: The leaves bear various types of glandular trichomes, with lipophilic secretion predominating. The main EO component of EO was 1,8‐cineole. A considerable number of phenolics and iridoids were tentatively identified in the ME extract. Quantitative LC/MS analysis confirmed that ferulic acid, rosmarinic acid, and epigallocatechin gallate were present in the highest amount in the extracts, in which three iridoids were also quantified. Although the ME extract contained the highest amount of polyphenolics and iridoids, the DCM extract showed the best overall biological potential. Additionally, EO exerted the strongest acetylcholinesterase and tyrosinase inhibition. Conclusion: This study demonstrated that the endemic N. cyrenaica can be efficiently grown under in vitro conditions, where it develops various glandular trichomes that are thought to secrete and/or accumulate bioactive compounds with valuable medicinal potential. The endemic N. cyrenaica, propagated under in vitro conditions, was studied for the first time for its micromorphology, phytochemistry and bioactivity. The leaf indumentum bears different types of glandular trichomes, with lipophilic secretion predominating. The essential oil consists mainly of 1,8‐cineole, while numerous phenolic components and iridoids were detected in the extracts, reaching their maximum in the methanol extract. Both the essential oil and the extracts exert antioxidant and enzyme‐inhibiting effects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction. Growth hormone deficiency (GHD) can be isolated or associated with deficiency of other pituitary gland hormones. According to age at diagnosis, causes of GHD are divided into congenital or acquired, and according to etiology into recognized and unknown. Objective. We analyzed etiology and prevalence of GHD, demographic data at birth, age, body height (BH) and bone age at diagnosis as well as the frequency of other pituitary hormone deficiencies. Methods. The study involved 164 patients (109 male). The main criterion for the diagnosis of GHD was inadequate response of GH after two stimulation tests. The patients were classified into three groups: idiopathic, congenital and acquired GHD. Results. Idiopathic GHD was confirmed in 57.9% of patients, congenital in 11.6% and acquired in 30.5%. The mean age at diagnosis of GHD was 10.1±4.5 years. The patients with congenital GHD had most severe growth retardation (-3.4±1.4 SDS), while the patients with idiopathic GHD showed most prominent bone delay (-3.6±2.3 SDS). The prevalence of multiple pituitary hormone deficiency was 56.1%, in the group with congenital GHD 73.7%, acquired GHD 54.0% and idiopathic GHD 53.7%. The frequency of thyrotropin deficiency ranged from 88.2-100%, of adrenocorticotrophin 57.1-68.8% and of gonadotrophins deficiency 57.1- 63.0%, while deficiency of antidiuretic hormone was 2.0-25.0%. Conclusion. Although regular BH measurements enable early recognition of growth retardation, patients’ mean age and degree of growth retardation indicate that GHD is still diagnosed relatively late. A high incidence of other pituitary hormone deficiencies requires a detailed investigation of the etiology of disorders and evaluation of all pituitary functions in each child with confirmed GHD.

Glutamine synthetase (GS) is a key nitrogen-assimilating enzyme in plants and a target for the broad-spectrum herbicide glufosinate. Understanding its kinetic and structural properties is of major agricultural importance. Spinach (Spinacia oleracea) is classified as a plant expressing only chloroplastic GS activity. We have analyzed soluble proteins in the spinach by coupling native polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (PAGE)-activity detection, based on phosphate precipitation, with SDS-PAGE/immunoblotting. One cytosolic (GS1) isoform from the roots and two chloroplastic (GS2) isoforms expressed in leaves were resolved by native PAGE. The identity of the obtained bands was established by the application of GS-specific inhibitors, L-methionine sulfoximine and glufosinate. Examination by sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS)-PAGE/ Western analysis with anti-GS antibodies, confirmed the identity of the active bands and revealed that both chloroplastic isoforms are composed of 44 kDa subunits, while the cytosolic isoform consists of 40 kDa subunits. The presence of more GS2 isozymes than encoded in the spinach genome is discussed in terms of posttranslational modifications.

To determine the manganese requirement necessary for optimal development of lesser centaury [Centaurium pulchellum (Sw.) Druce] in vitro, we investigated the effect of exogenously applied Mn on different developmental processes such as growth, flowering, fruiting, and seed germination. The application of Mn had no effect on stem length, except at the highest concentration of 10-2 M, which was inhibitory. In addition, C. pulchellum plants were capable of in vitro flowering and fruiting even on media without added Mn. However, Mn content in the media affected seed dimensions, since both length and width of the seeds increased with increasing Mn concentration. Moreover, both excess and absence of Mn in the media caused appearance of necrotic plants. Exogenously applied Mn had no effect on seed germination percentage, except at concentrations greater than 3x10-3 M.

Introduction. Differentiated thyroid carcinoma (DTC) is a rare childhood malignancy, as it represents 0.3-0.4% of pediatric malignancies. Papillary carcinoma is the most common type of pediatric DTC and it represents about 90% of all DTC patients. Although rare, DTC arising from dyshormonogenetic goiter is the most serious complication of congenital hypothyroidism. Case report. We presented the development of thyroid papillary carcinoma in a 15-year-old girl diagnosed with congenital dyshormonogenetic hypothyroidism at neonatal age. Considering the early initiation and proper dosage of hormonal substitution, normal levels of thyreotropin and thyroid hormones were achieved quickly and maintained through a follow-up period. The girl remained euthyroid and asymptomatic until 13.8 years of age, when she presented with a large multinodular goiter. The patient underwent total thyroidectomy. Pathological examination revealed intrathyroid microcarcinoma in the right lobe. Conclusion. Although differentiated thyroid carcinoma is a rare pediatric malignancy, it is of great importance to have a certain degree of clinical caution and provide a multidisciplinary approach during the follow-up of patients with dyshormonogenetic hypothyroidism.

Copyright of Medical Journal / Medicinski Časopis is the property of Serbian Medical Society, Section Kragujevac 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.)

Chicory (Cichorium intybus L.) is a medicinal and industrial plant from the Asteraceae family that produces a variety of sesquiterpene lactones (STLs), most importantly bitter guaianolides: lactucin, lactucopicrin and 8-deoxylactucin as well as their modified forms such as oxalates. These compounds have medicinal properties; however, they also hamper the extraction of inulin – a very important food industry product from chicory roots. The first step in guaianolide biosynthesis is catalyzed by germacrene A synthase (GAS) which in chicory exists in two isoforms – GAS long (encoded by CiGASlo) and GAS short (encoded by CiGASsh). AmiRNA silencing was used to obtain plants with reduced GAS gene expression and level of downstream metabolites, guaianolide-15-oxalates, as the major STLs in chicory. This approach could be beneficial for engineering new chicory varieties with varying STL content, and especially varieties with reduced bitter compounds more suitable for inulin production. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]