Aim:To determine the concentration of total plasma homocysteine (tHcy) as well as different genotypes of methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase MTHFR (C677T) in healthy subjects and patients with deep vein thrombosis (DVT).Material and methods:The investigation comprised a total of 160 subjects divided in two main groups: 80 healthy subjects (control group) and 80 patients with deep vein thrombosis. Concentration of tHcy was determined by spectrophotometric cyclic enzymatic method and mutation of MTHFR (C677T) gene was examined by polymerase chain reaction according to Schneider.Results:The results obtained for plasma tHcy in the control group were 11.62±3.43 μmol/L, while tHcy level was significantly higher in patients with deep vein thrombosis as compared to the control group, 15.19±3.63 μmol/L (р<0.001). The analysis of the results has shown that MTHFR (C677T) genetic polymorphism was responsible for mild to moderate hyperhomocysteinemia in the majority of subjects.Conclusion:The level of tHcy in the examined patients was significantly higher in comparison with the control group. Multiple regression analysis has shown that tHcy level in CT and TT genotypes of MTHFR (C677T) was statistically higher in comparison with CC genotype of MTHFR (C677T) in both, the control group and the DVT patients.

Organophosphates (OP) and carbamates, frequently used pesticides, can cause a variety of adverse health effects, ranging from simple irritation of the skin and eyes to more severe effects. The aim of this study was to evaluate the association between chronic occupational pesticide exposure and changes in serum activities of alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), gamma glutamyl transferase (GGT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and creatine phosphokinase (CPK) in orchard workers. In the study, 47 peach orchard workers were included, at the age from 19 to 60 years, with monthly exposure to pesticides from 5 to 20 days and 1 to 35 working years. The control group consisted of 40 healthy age-matched men, without exposure to pesticides. All orchard workers kept to safety precautions. 68% of workers reported some physical signs and symptoms. A significantly decreased AChE activity was detected in 10.6% of orchard workers and increased CPK activity in 40.4%. Very weak negative correlation was detected between AChE and ALP activities (r = -0.34, p = 0.001) and between AChE and CPK activities (r = -0.25, p = 0.02). No correlation was found between the serum AChE and day of monthly exposure, as well as years of exposure. The results have shown that orchard workers with decreased AChE activity and increased CPK activity should be monitored as workers with an increased risk for severe pesticide poisoning. These findings suggest that chronic occupational exposure to pesticides elicit mild toxic effects, as well as biochemical changes of unknown long-term consequences. Keywords: Toxic effects; Carbamates pesticide, Organophosphate pesticide, Serum enzymes, Orchard workers, Occupational exposure

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Methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) is a key enzyme of folate pathway and mutation of the enzyme methylentetrahydrofolate reductase MTHFR C677T gene. But whether it has influence on the level of total homocysteine is still under debate. Several polymorphisms have been reported in MTHFR gene, but C677T polymorphism is the most studied and it has been reported to be a risk factor for several diseases/disorders. Also, extensive studies have been conducted in various ethnic groups.The present study was designed to explore the frequency of MTHFR C677T polymorphism in North Macedonian healthy population.The study group consisted of 123 healthy subjects, benevolent blood donors, who were declared to be healthy by a medical doctor from the National Institute for Transfusion Medicine in R. N. Macedonia. The MTHFR gene polymorphism was analyzed by the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP).Our analysis showed that the measurement of the population-genetic parameters of the allelic frequency at the T variable nucleotide had the allelic frequency 0.314. The global prevalence of TT genotype was Hardy -Weinberg's custom with a p value of 0.866, which was excluded from the p value of x 2 test. The remaining parameters, however, indicated the genetically balanced population and they were important for the reliability of the analysis.In the Macedonian population the lowest frequency has the genotype TT and the highest has genotype CT.

Introduction. To compare the values and accuracy of the test in anticyclic citrullinated peptides antibodies, rheumatoid factor (RF), C-reactive protein (CRP) and disease activity index in early diagnosis of untreated psoriatic arthritis (PsA). Methods. Using the ELISA method of DIA-STATTM Anti CCP (Axis-Shield Diagnostics), sera of 70 participants were examined (35 untreated patients with PsA and 35 subjects from the healthy control group). RF and CRP were determined with the agglutination test (latex test). At the same time the sensitivity, specificity, predictive value for positive and negative testsand accuracy were determined. Results. Of 35 patientswith PsA, 1 patient showed presence of anti-CCP antibodies (sensitivity test 2.86%), while RF was foundin 0 patients(sensitivity test 0%). In the healthy control group positivevalues for RF, CRP and erythrocyte sedimentation rate were detected in 1 patient. Conclusion. ACPA antibodies have low sensitivity, but high specificity in PsA.

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