Plant extracts of the leaves and seed cones of European yew Taxus baccata L. (Taxaceae) were analyzed for total phenolic content, flavonoid concentrations, antioxidant and anticancer properties (cytotoxic and proapoptotic activity). The total phenolic content ranged between 8.23 and 210.01 mg Ga/g, with the IC50 values for antioxidant activity between 25.24 and 533.66 ?g/ml. The MTT test showed that the methanolic extract of leaves had better activity on HCT-116 cells than the extract of seed cones, with IC50 values of 14.3 for 24 h and 4.59 for 72 h. The MDA-MB-231 cell line displayed significantly lower sensitivity to both extracts as compared to the HCT-116 cell line. Microscopic examination indicated that the extracts induced apoptosis in both cell lines. These results suggest that T. baccata leaves and seed cones are a potential source of phenolic compounds, especially flavonoids, as natural antioxidant, cytotoxic and strong proapoptotic substances of high value. <br><br><font color="red"><b> This article has been corrected. Link to the correction <u><a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.2298/ABS161021105E">10.2298/ABS161021105E</a><u></b></font>

In this study we evaluated the possible protective effects of selenium (Se) on hematological and oxidative stress parameters in rats chronically treated with cisplatin (cisPt). Four groups of Wistar albino rats were examined: a control, untreated rats (I), rats treated with Se (II), rats treated with cisPt (III), and rats treated with Se and cisPt (IV). All animals were treated for 5 days successively and killed 24 h after the last treatment. Hematological and oxidative stress parameters were followed in whole blood and red blood cells (RBC). Results showed that the chronic application of Se was followed by a higher number of reticulocytes and platelets, increased lipid peroxidation and GSH content in the RBC. Cisplatin treatment induced depletion of RBC and platelet numbers and an elevation of the superoxide anion, nitrites and glutathione levels. Se and cisPt co-treatment was followed by an elevation of the hematological parameters and the recovery of the glutathione status when compared to the control and cisPt-treated rats

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Background/Aim. Breast cancer is one of the most common malignancies among women all over the world. Tumor microenvironment represents one of the main regulators of tumorigenesis. We investigated the role of matrix metalloproteinases 9 (MMP-9) concentration in peritumoral tissue as a prognostic marker in the breast cancer patients. Methods. The ELISA test was used to determine a total MMP-9 concentration in carcinoma and peritumoral tissue sample in the patients with breast cancer. Comparison of MMP-9 protein expression with the clinicopathological parameters was evaluated. Results. Peritumoral tissue at 3 cm distance from the tumor produces more MMP-9 than the tumor itself. The ratio of concentrations of MMP-9 in the tumor and peritumoral tissue considerably changes in favor of peritumoral tissue with the increase of tumor size and the involvement of axillary lymph nodes. In N0 stage, the concentration ratio of MMP-9 in the tumor and peritumoral tissues was 1 : 1.44, but in the N2 stage, the ratio was 1 : 26.5. Conclusion. In patients with breast cancer even in an early stadium there is a change in MMP-9 concentration in peritumoral tissue. We can extract the group of patients at increased risk for the development of lymph node metastasis. A statistically significant difference between the concentrations of MMP-9 in the peritumoral tissue and cancer tissue exists only in case of metastatic disease not in MO stadium implying need for early detection of still unknown metastases in such patients.

Introduction/Objective. Peritoneal dialysis is a method of treating patients in terminal phase of renal failure (end-stage renal disease). Peritonitis represents most severe and most common complication of peritoneal dialysis. The most common peritonitis causes are Gram+ microorganisms: Staphylococcus-coagulase-negative, Staphylococcus aureus, Strepto-coccus sp, Neisseria sp. Gram- microorganisms are: Pseudomonas sp, Enterococcus, Klebsiella sp, Proteus sp, Acinetobacter sp. The aim of the study was to examine the incidence of peritonitis and to determine the differences between patients with and without peritonitis and catheter infection. Other goals of the work were: the most frequent causes of peritonitis, the outcome of treatment, the influence of the length of treatment on the development of peritonitis, the influence of the peritoneal dialysis adequacy on the development of peritonitis, the influence of anemia, nutritional status, iron status, secondary hyperparathyroidism (Ca, P, CaxPO4, parathormone), protein status - albumin and the effect of acid uricum on the development of peritonitis. Methods. Retrospectively, 84 patients were analyzed of peritoneal dialysis (2012-2016) at Center for Nephrology and Dialysis of Clinical Center Kragujevac. The diagnosis of peritonitis was based on clinical picture, biochemical analyses, leukocyte in sediment of dialysis, findings of peritoneal-culture, signs of inflammation (C-reactive-protein, leukocy-tes). The analysis included: the most common causes, the outcome of treatment, the influence of the length of treatment, the influence of the peritoneal dialysis adequacy, the influence of anemia, the influence of iron status, the influence of secondary hyperpara-thyroidism, the influence of protein status, albumin, and the effect of acid uricum on the development of peritonitis. Results. 22 patients had one, six patients had two, six patients had three, six patients more than three episodes of peritonitis. The difference in mean values of the number of erythrocytes, hemoglobin, hematocrit, iron, albumin, diastolic pressure, systolic pressure between patients with peritonitis, and those without it, statistically were significant (p ? 0.05). The difference in mean values of calcium (Ca), phosphor (P), CaxPO4, uricum value, parathormone, peritoneal dialysis adequacy, systolic pressure was not statistically significant (p ? 0.05). The incidence of peritonitis and death were not associated (p = 1.000). Conclusion. Peritonitis is severe complication of peritoneal dialysis. Anemia and nutritional status are risk factors that affect the development of peritonitis in patients on peritoneal dialysis.