Proteomics in Diagnosis of Prostate Cancer/ Протеомика Во Дијагноза На Простатниот Карцином

Prostate cancer (PCa) is the second most frequently diagnosed malignancy in men worldwide. The introduction of prostate specific antigen (PSA) has greatly increased the number of men diagnosed with PCa but at the same time, as a result of the low specificity, led to overdiagnosis, resulting to unnecessary biopsies and high medical cost treatments. The primary goal in PCa research today is to find a biomarker or biomarker set for clear and effecttive diagnosis of PCa as well as for distinction between aggressive and indolent cancers. Different proteomic technologies such as 2-D PAGE, 2-D DIGE, MALDI MS profiling, shotgun proteomics with label-based (ICAT, iTRAQ) and label-free (SWATH) quantification, MudPIT, CE-MS have been applied to the study of PCa in the past 15 years. Various biological samples, including tumor tissue, serum, plasma, urine, seminal plasma, prostatic secretions and prostatic-derived exosomes were analyzed with the aim of identifying diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers and developing a deeper understanding of the disease at the molecular level. This review is focused on the overall analysis of expression proteomics studies in the PCa field investigating all types of human samples in the search for diagnostics biomarkers. Emphasis is given on proteomics platforms used in biomarker discovery and characterization, explored sources for PCa biomarkers, proposed candidate biomarkers by comparative proteomics studies and the possible future clinical application of those candidate biomarkers in PCa screening and diagnosis. In addition, we review the specificity of the putative markers and existing challenges in the proteomics research of PCa.

Evaluation of Different in Vitro Testing Methods for Mechanical Properties of Veneer Ceramics/ Евалуација На Тестовите In Vitro За Одредување На Механичките Особини На Порцеланските Маси За Фасетирање

Metal-ceramic and all-ceramic prosthetic restorations in the patient mouth are often damaged by esthetic and functional problems that reduce their success and longevity. Аim: To evaluate methods for testing mechanical characteristics of dental ceramics through analysis of different testing methods. Material and methods: Dental ceramic materials are tested with in vivo and in vitro methods for their most important mechanical characteristics: hardness, toughness, flexural strength and abrasion. In vitro testing methods are faster and more efficient, without subjective factors from the patient according to ISO standards. Testing is done with universal testing machines, like Zwick 1445, Universal Testing Machine (Zwick DmbH & Co.KG, Ulm, Germany), Instron 4302 (Instron Corporation, England), MTS Sintech ReNew 1123 or in oral chewing simulators. Results: According to the testing results, flexure strength is one of the most important characteristic of the dental ceramic to be tested, by the uniaxial and biaxial tests. Uniaxial tests three-point and four-point flexure are not most appropriate because the main stress on the lower side of the tested specimens is tension that causes beginning fractures at the places with superficial flow. Uniaxial results for flexural strength are lower than actual force, while with biaxial test defects and flows on the edges of tested specimens are not directly loaded. Conclusion: Biaxial flexural method has advantages over uniaxial because of real strength results, but also for simple shape and preparing of the testing specimens.

Serum Cortisol and DHEA-S Levels in Schizophrenic Patients with Different Response to Antipsychotic Therapy: Association with Psychopathology / Серумски Концентрации На Кортизол И DHEA-S Кал Пациенти Со Шизофренша Со Различен Одговор На Антипсихотичната Терапша Асоци.1Аци.1А Со Психопатологшата

Background: Previous studies suggested that alterations in serum cortisol and DHEA-S levels may play a role in the pathophysiology of schizophrenia. Imbalance in serum cortisol and DHEA-S levels may be related to responsivity to antipsychotic treatment. Aim: To compare serum cortisol and DHEA-S levels between patients with schizophrenia and healthy controls and to evaluate their association with psychopathology in schizophrenic patients with different response to antipsychotic treatment. Material and Methods: This clinical prospective study included 60 patients with schizophrenia and 40 healthy age and sex matched controls. All patients experienced an acute exacerbation of the illness (PANSS: P1 and P3 ≥ 4). Clinical evaluation of patients was performed using the Positive and Negative Symptom Scale. A questionnaire for socio-demographic and clinical data collection was used. For the purposes of the study, the examined group was divided in two subgroups: responders and nonresponders. Serum cortisol and DHEA-S levels were measuredat baseline in all participants and after 3 and 6 weeks of the antipsychotic treatment in patients with schizophrenia. Results: Patients with schizophrenia had significantly higher serum cortisol and DHEA-S levels comparedwith control group. Responders had significantly higher serum cortisol and DHEA-S levels compared with nonresponders. Responders group had significant correlation between serum cortisol and PANSS positive scale score as well as between hostility and serum DHEA-S. Conclusion: Elevated serum cortisol and DHEA-S levels may play a role in the pathophysiology of schizophrenia. Serum cortisol and DHEA-S are associated with psychopathology in schizophrenic patients with different response to antipsychotic therapy.

Pharmacogenetics and Antipsychotic Treatment Response/ Фармакогенетски Тестирања И Одговор Кон Третман Со Антипсихотоци

Antipsychotic drugs are widely used in the treatment of schizophrenia and psychotic disorder. The lack of antipsychotic response and treatment-induced side-effects, such as neuroleptic syndrome, polydipsia, metabolic syndrome, weight gain, extrapyramidal symptoms, tardive dyskinesia or prolactin increase, are the two main reasons for non-compliance and increased morbidity in schizophrenic patients. During the past decades intensive research has been done in order to determine the influence of genetic variations on antipsychotics dosage, treatment efficacy and safety. The present work reviews the molecular basis of treatment response of schizophrenia. It highlights the most important findings about the impact of functional polymorphisms in genes coding the CYP450 metabolizing enzymes, ABCB1 transporter gene, dopaminergic and serotonergic drug targets (DRD2, DRD3, DRD4, 5-HT1, 5HT-2A, 5HT-2C, 5HT6) as well as genes responsible for metabolism of neurotransmitters and G signalling pathways (5-HTTLPR, BDNF, COMT, RGS4) and points their role as potential biomarkers in everyday clinical practice. Pharmacogenetic testing has predictive power in the selection of antipsychotic drugs and doses tailored according to the patient’s genetic profile. In this perception pharmacogenetics could help in the improvement of treatment response by using different medicinal approaches that would avoid potential adverse effects, reduce stabilization time and will advance the prognosis of schizophrenic patients.

Neutrophil Functional Disorder in Childhood/ Функционални Нарушувања На Неутрофилите Во Детството

Neutrophil functional disorders thought to be uncommon, yet important as a cause of morbidity and mortality in infants and children. During the first years of life, when the immune system is still not completely mature, when the viral infections are frequent and antibiotic overuse can damage and alter the immune response, the inadequate nutrition followed with iron deficient anemia and malnutrition can lead the child`s organism in state of immunodeficiency. Sometimes is difficult to distinguish at the beginning weather the cause of patient suffering from frequent infections is existing of primary immunodeficiency disorder or the cause of the immunodeficiency state is just from exogenous factors. Fortunately, primary immune deficiencies are rare diseases and only 6-7% of all of them, due to the neutrophilic functional disorders. Unfortunately, many exogenous and environmental factors have influence to the immune system, and the percentage of secondary caused neutrophilic functional disorders is much higher and should be considered when children are investigated for immunodeficiency. So, when to suspect neutrophil functional disorder? The hallmarks for diseases related to the neutrophilic functional disorders are discussed in this article.

Body Mass Index, Underweight and Overweight in Children 3 to 5 Years of Age from Skopje/ Индекс На Телесната Тежина, Неисхранетост И Прекумерна Исхранетост Кај Деца На 3–5 Години Од Скопје

The aim of this research is to present body mass index (BMI) data in children 3-5 years of age from Skopje and provide the information on the prevalence of different categories of nutritional status during the early childhood. Material and methods: The study included 420 preschool children (210 boys and 210 girls). Stature and body weight were measured, and the BMI value was calculated. Twelve anthropometric parameters were measured using standard equipment and measurement technique according to the International Biological Programme. Results: The majority of anthropometrical parameters have shown significant age and sex specific differences in favor of male subjects. Values at the 50th percentile in our male subjects aged 3, 4 and 5 years for the weight-for-age index were 19 kg, 19.1 and 21 kg, respectively whereas in the female subjects the corresponding values were 16.8 kg, 20 kg and 21 kg. The height-for-age index values corresponding to the 50th percentile showed slightly higher values in our male subjects (100 cm, 109.5 cm and 116 cm) than those in our female subjects (102 cm, 108.5 cm and 116 cm). The values of 50th percentile of BMI in our males subjects were 18.1 kg/m², 16.2 kg/m² and 16 kg/m² whereas in our females were 16.5 kg/m², 16.7 kg/m² and 16.4 kg/m². Conclusion: These results show that underweight is a health problem of the rising generation in Skopje and needs to be considered along with the problem of overweight. It is recommended that the detected values could be applied for evaluation of deviations in growth and nutritional status in children aged 3-5.

International Nephrology Days/ Меѓународни Нефролошки Денови

The International Nephrology Days in honor of the 75th anniversary of Academician Momir Polenakovic and 50 years of his scientific work were held in the Macedonian Academy of Sciences and Arts (MASA) on 26 and 27 September 2014. Organizers of the meeting were the Macedonian Academy of Sciences and Arts and the Macedonian Society of Nephrology, Dialysis, Transplantation and Artificial Organs (MSNDTAO). The days were programmed with the VII Macedonian-Croatian Nephrology Meeting and the Continuing Medical Education (CME) Course on "Renal Replacement Therapy - when & how - update on the outcome and cost-efficacy" organized by the MSNDTAO in cooperation with the European Renal Association (ERA-EDTA). Prominent academicians, researchers and nephrologists from Europe and neighboring countries contributed with their lectures and discussion at this scientific event. On September 26, 2014 the opening talk was given by Acad. V. Kambovski, President of the MASA, about the Life and Work of Academician Momir Polenakovic. In honor of his anniversary and valuable scientific opus, during the meeting Acad. Momir Polenakovic was awarded with Certificate of the European Renal Association (ERA-EDTA) for his significant role in the development of nephrology in the Balkan region and couple of other diplomas and acknowledgement. Prof. Polenakovic is founder of the MSNDTAO and his lifetime honorary president.

Morphological Characteristics of the Superior Cerebellar Artery/ Морфолошки Карактеристики На Горната Церебеларна Артерија

With the introduction of new techniques in diagnostic and interventional radiology and progress in micro neurosurgery, accurate knowledge of the brain blood vessels is essential for daily clinical work. The aim of this study was to describe the morphological characteristics of the superior cerebellar artery and to emphasize their clinical significance. In this study we examined radiographs of 109 patients who had CT angiography at the University Clinic for Radiology in Skopje, R. Macedonia. This study included 49 females and 60 males, ranging in age from 27 to 83 years; mean age 57.4 ± 11.8 years. In 105 patients SCA arose from the basilar artery on both sides as a single vessel. In two patients SCA arose as a duplicate trunk from the basilar artery. We found unilateral duplication on the right SCA in one patient, and bilateral duplication in one patient. In two patients was noticed origin of the SCA from PCA as a single trunk from adult type of the PCA. Through knowledge of the anatomy and variations of SCA is important for clinicians as well as basic scientists who deal with problems related to intracranial vasculature in daily basis for save performance of diagnostic and interventional procedures.

A Review of the Role of Exercise and Factors Affecting its Uptake for People with Chronic Kidney Disease (Ckd) not Requiring Renal Replacement Therapy/ Преглед На Улогата На Вежбањето И Факторите Што Влијаат На Неговата Примена Кај Лица Со Хронична Бубрежна Болест (Хбб) За Кои Не Е Потребна Бубрежна Заменска Терапија

Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) is a long-term progressive condition affecting 10-15% of people. The overlap of diabetes, hypertension and CKD in an aging population means that prevalence will only increase. CKD increases the risk of all-cause mortality, secondary to the elevated cardiovascular risk. It also significantly affects the patients’ ability to engage in functional activities and their quality of life.The evidence base suggests that exercise has the capacity to improve symptom burden, functional ability and mental health. The majority of the patient population are pre-dialysis yet previous research has concentrated on dialysing patients. This review will focus on the patient group not requiring renal replacement therapy (non-RRT) as this is an area where further work is urgently needed.A large majority of people with CKD tend to be inactive despite emerging guidelines emphasising the positive effect of exercise for both people with chronic disease and healthy populations. This paper will review the evidence to support exercise to improve outcomes and quality of life and report on common barriers that patients experience and advocate the need for supported exercise interventions to help patients become more active and gain the potential resultant health benefits.