Pre-electoral coalition agreement from the Black-Scholes point of view

A political party can be considered as a company whose value depends on the voters support i.e. on the percentage of population supporting the party. Dynamics of the support is thus as a stochastic process with a deterministic growth rate perturbed by a white noise modeled through the Wiener process. This is in an analogy with the option modeling where the stock price behaves similarly as the voters' support. While in the option theory we have the question of fair price of an option, the question that we ask here is what is a reasonable level of support that the coalition of a "major" party (safely above the election threshold) and a "minor" party (under or around the election threshold) should achieve in order for the "minor" party to get one more representative. We shall elaborate some of the conclusions in the case of recent elections in Montenegro (June, 2023) which are particularly interesting due to lots of political subjects entering the race.

Common genetic and environmental bases of the mental disorders and personality traits: Special focus on the hierarchical model of psychopathology and NEO-PI-R facets

OBJECTIVE

This study examined whether phenotypic correlations between psychopathological dimensions and personality traits of different hierarchical levels originate from common genetic and environmental sources of variance.

METHOD

Participants were 386 monozygotic and 204 dizygotic twins. The Psychiatric Diagnostic Screening Questionnaire (PDSQ) was applied along with the Revised NEO Personality Inventory (NEO-PI-R). The results of the CFA confirmed the hypothesis of the internalizing and externalizing dimensions underlying PDSQ scales.

RESULTS

The results indicated a significantly greater role of genetic compared to environmental factors in the relationship between internalizing psychopathology and personality traits. Facets of neuroticism showed positive genetic links with internalizing disorders, while negative genetic links were shown for all facets of extraversion except excitement-seeking, competence, self-discipline, achievement striving, actions, and trust. Lower-order personality traits were shown to be associated with internalizing disorders more intensively than the broader domains to which they belong, both at the phenotypic and genetic levels.

CONCLUSIONS

High neuroticism, together with several facets from the domain of extraversion and conscientiousness seems to represent an increased genetic susceptibility to the disorders from the internalizing spectrum. Results also suggest that specific environmental factors which are not shared with personality traits contribute to the internalizing symptoms.

Personality traits and perception of parenting: The comparative twin study from Germany and Serbia

This study examines the aetiology of the relationship between personality traits and perceived parenting in light of cross-cultural differences. The sample consisted of 188 Serbian and 394 German twin pairs. Personality traits were measured using the NEO-personality inventory. A Blocks Environmental Questionnaire (BEQ) was applied to measure two dimensions of perceived parenting: support and organisation. Genetic factors account for 63-79% of the variance for BEQ dimensions in both samples, while around 50-60% of the variance in Big Five personality scores could be attributed to genetic factors. The exception was Neuroticism in the Serbian sample, where the genetic effect was somewhat smaller. The results indicated similar etiological pathways of the relationship between personality traits and perceived parenting, with some cultural differences related to Neuroticism and Extraversion. Negative Neuroticism-Support and positive Extraversion-Organisation environmental relationships were stronger in the Serbian sample. Genetic overlaps were more significant in the German sample, except for the relationship of Organisation with Conscientiousness and Extraversion. This indicates that the relationship between personality and perceived parenting is largely genetically mediated, but that the environmental effect may play an important role in individual adaptation to the family setting.

Differences in MB-COMT DNA methylation in monozygotic twins on phenotypic indicators of impulsivity

Epigenetic modifications of the membrane bound catechol-O-methyltransferase (MB-COMT) gene may affect the enzymatic degradation of dopamine, and consequently, human behavior. This study investigated the association between membrane bound catechol-O-methyltransferase DNA methylation (DNAm) differences in 92 monozygotic (MZ) twins with phenotypic manifestations of cognitive, behavioral, and personality indicators associated with reward-related behaviors and lack of control. We used pyrosequencing to determine DNAm of the regulatory region of membrane bound catechol-O-methyltransferase in saliva DNA. Results of intrapair differences in the percentage of membrane bound catechol-O-methyltransferase DNAm at each of five CpG sites show that there are associations between phenotypic indicators of lack of control and membrane bound catechol-O-methyltransferase DNAm differences on CpG1, CpG2 and CpG4, suggesting the common epigenetic patterns for personality traits, cognitive functions, and risk behaviors.

Docking-based analysis and modeling of the activity of bile acids and their synthetic analogues on large conductance Ca2+ activated K channels in smooth muscle cells

OBJECTIVE

The objective of this study was to perform docking-based analysis of bile acid binding on the protein complex of channels and to derive neural network that predicts the influence of bile acids and their synthetic analogues on the activity of BK(Ca) channels in smooth muscle cells based on descriptors for bile acids and their synthetic analogues and on their already published activities using patch-clamp techniques.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Ligands for molecular docking were optimized using computer routine for minimization of energy by using the force field MMFF94 via Chem3D 15.0 and ligands and protein channel complex were prepared in AutoDockTools 1.5.6. AutoDock Vina 4.0 software was used for blind docking; processing and verification of the obtained results was performed via Discovery Studio 4.0. Neural network was derived using descriptors for bile acids and their synthetic analogues and their already published activities on calcium-activated K+ channels in smooth muscle cells (ChemDraw Professional 15.0, Dragon 6 software).

RESULTS

Molecular docking was performed for: lithocholic acid, deoxycholic acid, 5β-cholanoic acid, 3β-hydroxi-5β-cholanoic acid, henodeoxycholic acid, ursocholic acid and α-muricholic acid. Neural network model Multiple layer perceptron is derived, having 0.9259 training performances and 0.3673 test performances, training error 0.0073 and test error 0,1607. Model was tested for henodeoxycholic, ursocholic and α-muricholic acid, and internal validation of the model is performed.

CONCLUSIONS

Molecular docking suggested that the pharmacophore for maximizing the activity of BK(Ca) channels in the steroid skeleton of bile acids is the C3 quasi-axial α-OH group and the C24 carboxyl function. Derived neural network model successfully predicted activities of tested bile acids on Ca2+ activated K+ channels in smooth muscle cells.

A person-centered approach in studying coronavirus pandemic response: The role of HEXACO-PI-R and PANAS dimensions

The main aim of this study was to explore reactions to the COVID-19 pandemic and their relationship with personality traits using a person-centered approach. Sample of 471 Serbian citizens was collected during the first 7 weeks of the pandemic. Cluster analysis revealed three clusters based on reactions to the pandemic: Adapted, Antagonized, and Passive. Adaptive type is characterized by stable emotional reactions and adherence to behavioral guidelines. Antagonized cluster is characterized by lowered adherence to behavioral guidelines, while Passive cluster is characterized by increased fear and boredom. Clusters differed significantly on HEXACO and PANAS traits. Similarity of obtained clusters with prototypes that commonly emerge using personality traits for classification, stresses the importance of basic individual differences in pandemic-induced behavior.

Daily Monitoring of Emotional Responses to the Coronavirus Pandemic in Serbia: A Citizen Science Approach

The COVID-19 pandemic, a health emergency with international consequences, has brought serious impact on all aspects of society and affects not only health and economy, but psychological functioning and mental health as well. This research was conducted in order to examine and further our understanding of emotional reactions to the ongoing pandemic. Change in emotional reactions during the pandemic and relations with specific pandemic related behaviors and personality traits from the revised Reinforcement sensitivity theory were explored. The research was conducted in Serbia for 35 days while the country was in a state of emergency, as a citizen science project. Out of the 1526 participants that joined the study, 444 (67% female) had measures for all five weeks. Longitudinal changes in four emotional states during the pandemic were examined: worry, fear, boredom, and anger/annoyance. Results indicate a decrease in all four emotional states over time. The biggest decrease was present in case of worry, followed by fear and boredom. Regression analysis showed that personality dimensions, as well as behavioral responses in this situation significantly predicted emotional reactions. Findings revealed the Behavioral activation system was significantly related to worry, fear and boredom, Fight with boredom and anger, and the Behavioral inhibition system with anger. Adherence to protection measures, as well as increased exposure to the media, had significant positive relations with worry and fear. These results indicate that both stable characteristics and specific pandemic-related behaviors are significantly related to emotional response during the pandemic.

GENDER, SOCIOSEXUAL ORIENTATION, AND PERSONALITY TRAITS AS PREDICTORS OF ATTITUDES TOWARDS SEX

The aim of the present study was to examine relations among  gender, personality traits, and a behavioral component of sociosexual orientation on the one hand, and four dimensions of attitudes towards sex on the other hand. Participants (N = 266) from the general population of Serbia completed Sociosexual Orientation Inventory (SOI), the brief Sexual Attitudes Scale (BSAS) and Big Five Plus Two, shorten version (BF+2). Results pointed to a very modest contribution of gender to the prediction of sexual attitudes. Small effects of openness on instrumentality, extraversion on communion, and neuroticism on permissiveness were noted, and sociosexual orientation predicted all these three dimensions of attitudes towards sex. Results also indicated a significant effect of interaction between neuroticism and gender, as well as a positive valence and gender on instrumental attitude towards sex. The relationship in both cases was positive for males and negative for females.

BEHAVIORAL GENETICS FOUNDATIONS OF RELATIONS BETWEEN PERSONALITY TRAITS AND SATISFACTION WITH LIFE

The long-term stability of subjective wellbeing has directed an attention to stable dispositions as the probable source of individual differences in the satisfaction with life (SWL). The main objective of this study was to examine the extent of genetic overlap between SWL and personality traits of the five-factor model (FFM). The sample consisted of 121 monozygotic and 61 dizygotic twin pairs (the average age was 24.59, SD = 7.11). Satisfaction with Life Scale and The Revised NEO Personality Inventory (NEO-PIR) were applied. Multivariate genetic modeling was performed. The results show the most appropriate fit indices for Independent AE model(χ²/df = 1.41, CFI = .92, TLI = .91, RMSEA = .07, AIC = 17400.81, BIC = 17558.68, SRMR = .10). SWL and all NEOPI- R personality traits have a moderate to strong genetic bases, while the common genetic influences for SWL are 40%. The results show that unique environmental contributions are moderate to strong (from 61% for Neuroticism, 41% for SWL, to 23% for Conscientiousness). Genetically driven tendency common to Neuroticism, Extraversion, and Conscientiousness, underlines individual differences in SWL, and therefore a cognitive evaluation of SWL seems to be substantially based on emotional tendencies encompassed by the FFM. Also, SWL appears to be uniquely environmentally influenced, which implies benefits of wellbeing interventions through the process of learning or adopting a different life philosophy.

A Short Measure of the Revised Reinforcement Sensitivity Theory - RSQ17

The need for a research and practical tool, such as a short, reliable, and valid personality assessment test, suggests researchers to create shortened versions of original instruments. Reinforcement sensitivity questionnaire (RSQ) was created in line with some basic premises of revised Reinforcement sensitivity theory, which proposes three motivational and emotional systems: Behavioral inhibition system (BIS), responsible for scanning environment for potential threats, Behavioral activation system (BAS), responsible for aproaching behavior, and the Fight/Flight/Freeze system (FFFS), responsible for behavior in the present threat. RSQ comprises five scales: BIS, BAS, Fight, Flight, and Freeze. The aim of this study was to develop a short version of RSQ, which would be beneficial to both research and practical purposes. Item response theory analyses were used for item selection. The study comprised two samples of participants, whereby Sample 1 (N = 837, 34.6% male, aged 18 - 82, M = 31.63, SD = 13.54) served as the derivation sample, while Sample 2 (818 participants, 43.6% male, 18-75 years, M = 29.65, SD = 12.52) served as validation sample. Factorial validity of the short RSQ was examined on both Sample 1 and Sample 2. Convergent and divergent validity of the short RSQ was examined using RST-PQ, Jackson-5, BIS/BAS scales, and Big Five Inventory. The results point to satisfactory internal consistency, factorial validity, and construct validity of the short RSQ, suggesting that it is an adequate measure for research settings or other contexts which require the use of short personality questionnaires.

MOTIVACIJA I EMPATIJA KAO KORELATI POMAGAČKOG PONAŠANJA TOKOM POPLAVA U SRBIJI 2014. GODINE

Pomagačko ponašanje spada u prosocijalne oblike ponašanja, a istraživači se najviše interesuju za pokretačke snage pomagačkog ponašanja. Ovo istraživanje se bavi pomagačkim ponašanjem tokom perioda poplava maja 2014. godine u Srbiji, i motivacijom i empatijom kao prediktorima stepena pomaganja. Uzorak se sastojao od 204 osobe koje su pomagale tokom perioda poplava (61.3% ženskog pola), prosečne starosti 29.7 godina. Tokom juna, jula i avgusta, ispitanici su popunjavali Upitnik o načinima i stepenu pomaganja tokom poplava, modifikovan Inventar volonterskih funkcija za procenu motivacije za pomaganje i Upitnik procene spremnosti za empatiju. Polazeći od teorije funkcionalne motivacije, koja izdvaja šest motiva za pomaganje, sprovedena je univarijantna analiza kovarijanse, u kojoj su šest motiva i četiri aspekta empatije bili kontinuirani prediktori i pol kao kategorijalni prediktor stepena pomaganja. Rezultati pokazuju da ovakav prediktivni model objašnjava 30% varijanse pomagačkog ponašanja, a da se kao značajni prediktori ističu motiv Razumevanje i Socijalni motiv, kao i Empatija sa negativnim emocionalnim stanjima. Motivacija osobe da kroz pomaganje upozna svet i svoje sposobnosti, bolje razume ljude i osnaži svoje socijalne interakcije ukazuje na postojanje egoistične, ali i altruističke motivacije tokom perioda poplava u Srbiji. Prilikom ove krizne situacije pokazalo se da relevantnu ulogu ima i empatski paradoks, gde osobe koje imaju viši stepen empatije sa negativnim emocijama osoba u distresu u manjoj meri pomažu usled prevelikog intenziteta empatijske uznemirenosti. Ovi rezultati ukazuju na postojanje i istovremeno delovanje većeg broja motiva, kao i na ulogu empatije u pomaganju. Praktične implikacije nalaza odnose se na mogućnost selekcije pomagača u vreme kriznih situacija.

Evaluation of Zuckerman-Kuhlman Personality Questionnaire-50-CC in Serbian culture

The main purpose of this research was to evaluate dimensions of the Zuckerman-Kuhlman Personality Questionnaire-50-CC (ZKPQ-50-CC) in the Serbian culture in the light of some of the basic assumptions of the alternative five-factor model – the cross-cultural stability, construct validity and heritability. The study had two parts. The aim of the first study is to evaluate the replicability of the alternative FFM in a Serbian sample (N = 1155). Three structural models were tested using confirmatory factor analysis. The model which included correlated dimensions and four omitted items showed the best fit. The second study, conducted on a sample of 200 participants (90 male and 110 female), was set to test several models of relations between the alternative FFM and Eysenck's PEN model. Four models were tested using the structural equation modeling. The best- fitting model included three latent dimensions, which corresponded to PEN dimensions.

VELIKIH PET PLUS DVA: VALIDACIJA SKRAĆENE VERZIJE

Osnovni cilj istraživanja je konstrukcija skraćene verzije upitnika Velikih pet plus dva (VP+2-70). Na osnovu korelacija stavki integralne verzije VP+2 (184 stavke) sa glavnim komponentama skala višeg reda, formirano je sedam 10-ajtemskih skala. Konstrukcija instrumenta VP+2-70 sprovedena je na kalibracionom uzorku od 2924 ispitanika (56% žena), starosti 18‒68 godina, a stabilnost faktorske strukture proverena je na validacionom uzorku od 802 ispitanika (60% žena), starosti 18‒60 godina. Na ovim uzorcima proverena je i konvergentna validnost upitnika kroz ispitivanje povezanosti njegovih skala sa skalama Inventara velikih pet. Na uzorku od 374 studenta, starosti 19‒33 godine, ispitana je povezanost skorova skraćeneverzije VP+2 u domenu samoprocene i procene od strane drugih. Kriterijska validnost ispitana je utvrđivanjem relacija skorova na skalama VP+2-70 i indikatora ponašanja obuhvaćenih Upitnikom za procenu ponašanja (The Behavior Report Form ‒BRF), na uzorku od 205 studenata starosti 18‒19 godina. Rezultati ukazuju na zadovoljavajuću pouzdanost, konvergentnu i prediktivnu validnost upitnika VP+2-70.

UPITNIK BODH (BES, OSVETOLJUBIVOST, DOMINACIJA, HOSTILNOST): NOVI UPITNIK ZA PROCENU AGRESIVNOSTI

Polaznu osnovu za konstruisanje upitnika za procenuagresivnosti BODH predstavljali su rezultati dobijeni analizomzajedničke strukture skala za procenu agresivnosti/prijatnostiiz upitnika ličnosti koji proističu iz različitih paradigmi i modela(Big Five Inventory – BFI, IPIP-HEXACO-PI-R, Velikih pet plusdva – VP+2, Zuckerman–Kulhman Personality Questionnaire –III – Revised – ZKPQ–III–R, Upitnik osetljivosti na potkrepljenje– UOP i Multidimensional Personality Questionnaire – MPQ). UIstraživanju 1 faktorskom analizom izdvojena su četiri faktora kojisu imenovani kao Bes, Osvetoljubivost, Dominacija i Hostilnost.Na osnovu uvida u dominantni sadržaj tih faktora i korelacijakoje ostvaruju s dimenzijama Eysenckovog PEN modela iBuss-Perryjevog Upitnika agresije, formulisane su stavke kojereferiraju na ekstrahovane faktore. U Istraživanju 2 potvrđenaje četvorofaktorska struktura Upitnika, i na osnovu analize, podmodelom Teorije odgovora na stavke, zadržane su stavke snajboljim metrijskim karakteristikama. Na osnovu informativnostiskala, zaključeno je da su sve supskale, osim Hostilnosti,diskriminativnije u domenu prosečnih i iznadprosečnih skorova,dok je Hostilnost diskriminativna u širem rasponu osobine.Konstruktna validnost upitnika BODH potvrđena je u Istraživanju3 preko korelacija sa skalama inventara HEXACO-PI-R i Buss-Perryjevog Upitnika agresije. Polne razlike postoje samo nasupskali Osvetoljubivost, koja u odnosu na ostale supskale imanajvišu korelaciju s fizičkom agresijom.

Brain and art: illustrations of the cerebral convolutions. A review

BACKGROUND

Aesthetics and functional significance of the cerebral cortical relief gave us the idea to find out how often the convolutions are presented in fine art, and in which techniques, conceptual meaning and pathophysiological aspect.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We examined 27,614 art works created by 2,856 authors and presented in art literature, and in Google images search.

RESULTS

The cerebral gyri were shown in 0.85% of the art works created by 2.35% of the authors. The concept of the brain was first mentioned in ancient Egypt some 3,700 years ago. The first artistic drawing of the convolutions was made by Leonardo da Vinci, and the first colour picture by an unknown Italian author. Rembrandt van Rijn was the first to paint the gyri. Dozens of modern authors, who are professional artists, medical experts or designers, presented the cerebralc onvolutions in drawings, paintings, digital works or sculptures, with various aesthetic, symbolic and metaphorical connotation. Some artistic compositions and natural forms show a gyral pattern. The convolutions, whose cortical layers enable the cognitive functions, can be affected by various disorders. Some artists suffered from those disorders, and some others presented them in their artworks.

CONCLUSIONS

The cerebral convolutions or gyri, thanks to their extensive cortical mantle, are the specific morphological basis for the human mind, but also the structures with their own aesthetics. Contemporary authors relatively often depictor model the cerebral convolutions, either from the aesthetic or conceptual aspect. In this way, they make a connection between the neuroscience and fineart.

Validation of the Measure of Revised Reinforcement Sensitivity Theory Constructs

The paper presents validation of the Reinforcement Sensitivity Questionnaire (RSQ), measuring the constructs of the Revised Reinforcement Sensitivity theory (RST). The research was conducted on a sample of 565 participants, using three measures of the constructs of the Revised Reinforcement Sensitivity Theory – the Behavioral Inhibition System/Behavioral Approach System (BIS/BAS) scale, Reinforcement Sensitivity Theory Personality Questionnaire (RST-PQ), and Reinforcement Sensitivity Questionnaire. The results of confirmatory factor analysis suggest good internal validity of the RSQ, while the results of principal components analysis show that the RSQ scales are significantly related to other RST measures.

School bullying in adolescence and personality traits: a person-centered approach

This study examined the differences in personality traits between the clusters reflecting the roles in violent interactions among high school students. The sample included 397 students (51.1% male) of Serbian nationality from the first to the fourth grades of different high schools. Based on scores of five dimensions related to peer violence (Physical Aggression, Psychological Aggression, Victimization, Adapted Behavior, and Risky Behavior), three clusters were extracted: Adapted Adolescents, Victims, and Bullies. These three clusters were compared with respect to lexical Big Seven personality traits, and the results indicate that the clusters differ significantly on Aggressiveness, Neuroticism, and Negative Valence. The Adapted Adolescents have the lowest scores on all three dimensions, while the Victims score highest on Neuroticism, and the Bullies on Aggressiveness. The potential importance of certain Extraversion facets for the roles in violent interaction was discussed.

Some psychological characteristics of adolescents hospitalized following a suicide attempt

BACKGROUND

In most countries, suicide is second or third leading cause of death in youth. Suicidal tendencies among youth have been the subject of extensive research. Reports of increased rate of suicide attempts in the past few decades indicate that this phenomenon has not been fully understood.

AIM

The aim of this study was to better understand the phenomenon of adolescent suicide behavior by defining some specific psychological characteristics of adolescents who were hospitalized at the psychiatric ward because of the suicide attempt.

METHODS

62 participants were assigned to two groups: clinical (adolescents who were hospitalized after a suicide attempt) and non-clinical (adolescents without psychiatric symptoms). They filled in a series of instruments: a questionnaire examining adolescents' demographic characteristics, Rosenberg's Self-Esteem Scale, Youth Self Report.

RESULTS

Compared to the non-clinical populaton adolescents attempting suicide had significantly more frequent suicidal thoughts (χ2 = 18.627, df = 1, p < .01), higher incidence of earlier attempts (χ2 = 10.008, df = 1, p < .01), they abused substances more often (χ2 = 7.398, df=1, p < .01), had higher incidence of fathers' psychopathology (χ2 = 11.77, df = 1, p < .01), lower level of self-esteem (t = 4.23, p < .01), and more significant expression of internalized (F/1.60/ = 19.02; p < .01) as well as externalized problems (F/1.60/ = 4.41; p < .05).

CONCLUSIONS

This study point to some of the characteristics of adolescents who were hospitalized after a suicide attempt.  

Validacija simulirane verzije upitnika 16PF

U radu su prikazane tri studije čiji je cilj bio provera mernih svojstava simulacije Cattellovog upitnika 16PF, razvijene u okviru projekta 'International Personality Item Pool'. Rezultati prve studije, u kojoj je ovim upitnikom ispitano 447 ispitanika, ukazuju na prihvatljive koeficijente pouzdanosti većine skala, kao i na postojanje pet opštih faktora koji u izvesnoj meri odgovaraju Cattellovim pretpostavkama. Glavne razlike u odnosu na pretpostavljenu strukturu uočavaju se u oblasti interpersonalnih dimenzija. U okviru druge studije istraživane su korelacije rezultata na skalama IPIP 16PF sa opštim uspehom u školi i uspehom u nekoliko školskih predmeta. Ispitivanjem su obuhvaćena 222 učenika završnog razreda gimnazije. Dobijene korelacije su generalno niske, a sa uspehom u najvećem broju školskih predmeta koreliraju skale Dužnost (G), Osetljivost (I), Inteligencija (B) i Kompleksnost (Q1). Rezultati treće studije, u kojoj je ispitano 115 učenika završnog razreda gimnazije, pokazuju da se na osnovu rezultata na skalama IPIP 16PF mogu predvideti raspoloženja u neutralnoj i predispitnoj situaciji, procenjena upitnikom STCI-S. Prediktivna moć skala je veća u slučaju neutralne, nego u slučaju predispitne situacije. Značajni prediktori raspoloženja u neutralnoj situaciji su skale Emocionalna stabilnost (C), Anksioznost (O), Emocionalnost (Q4) i Kompleksnost (Q1). U predispitnoj situaciji ove skale gube sposobnost predikcije, a kao značajni prediktori se pojavljuju Inteligencija (B), Introverzija (Q2) i Asertivnost (E). Rezultati sve tri studije idu u prilog korisnosti primene upitnika IPIP 16PF u psihološkim istraživanjima, ali ukazuju i na izvesne njegove nedostatke.

Osobine ličnosti i ponašanje vozača u saobraćaju

U radu je prikazano istraživanje strukture povezanosti osobina ličnosti i ponašanja vozača u saobraćaju. Uzorak ispitanika činilo je 180 osoba oba pola sa položenim vozačkim ispitom, starosti između 18 i 69 godina, a primenjena su dva instrumenta: Upitnik o ponašanju u saobraćaju (UPS) i Zakermanov i Kalmanov upitnik ličnosti (ZKPQ). Analizom glavnih komponenti prostor merenja upitnika UPS sveden je na četiri glavne komponente: Kršenje propisa, Impulsivnost u vožnji, Bezbedna vožnja i Razdražljivost u vožnji. Analiza strukture povezanosti između dimenzija ličnosti i aspekata ponašanja pri vožnji ukazala je na dva obrasca povezanosti ova dva skupa. Prvi opisuje povezanost skorova na dimenzijama Agresivnost-hostilnost i Impulsivnost sa razdražljivim i impulsivnim ponašanjem prilikom vožnje, i ukazuje na to da agresivna uznemirenost tokom vožnje i oblici rizičnog ponašanja odražavaju stabilne osobine ličnosti vozača. Drugi obrazac povezanosti opisuje vezu stepena miroljubivosti i potrebe za aktivnošću sa odgovornošću i uživanjem u vožnji. Ovaj obrazac sugeriše i da samouverenost kada su u pitanju vozačke veštine utiče na sklonost ka kršenju propisa, ali verovatno ne i na visoko rizičnu vožnju. Rezultati generalno ukazuju na poseban značaj dimenzija Agresivnost-hostilnost i Impulsivnost u ovom kontekstu, i imaju potencijalnu primenu u oblasti prevencije saobraćajnih nezgoda. Nalazi su uglavnom u skladu sa rezultatima dosadašnjih studija u ovom području.

[Acute intermittent porphyria as a problem in differential diagnosis]

In this study the authors have stressed the multidisciplinary approach regarding the etiology of psychiatric disorders. This approach provides not only the quantitative but also the qualitative increase within the essence of psychic life and psychiatric disorders pointing out the integrity of biological, psychological and social in a human being. Many somatic diseases are followed by the psychiatric and neurological symptoms. One of these diseases is the acute intermittent porphyria (AIP) that is manifested with a wide spectrum of clinical manifestations and it is called "the great imitator". The AIP attacks are characterized by abdominal pains, neurologic and psychiatric disorders. The most important is to diagnose the disease at the onset. If not, many severe complications may occur, even the lethal outcome is possible. This case report has shown the significance of the above mentioned statements.

[Pulsed doses of cyclophosphamide in the treatment of Wegener's granulomatosis]

The aim of the study was to analyze the efficacy and toxicity of the therapy with pulse dose of cyclophosphamide in patients with Wegener's granulomatosis. The diagnosis was established in three patients (2 male, 1 female, average age 58.3 years) upon the clinical picture, laboratory-immunologic and histopathologic findings. The initial therapy was conducted by pulse doses of cyclophosphamide (0.6 and 0.8 g/kg), glucocorticoids (0.5 g), repeated plasmapheresis and pulse doses of immunoglobulin (0.4 g/kg). All patients achieved remission with complete recovery of renal function in one patient. The therapy with pulse doses of cyclophosphamide (time-period between pulses from 1 to 3 months), together with glucocorticoids taken orally for 24 months, was continued for the following 18 months. Stable remission (4-15 months) was maintained in all the patients after the immunosuppressive therapy was over. The treatment of Wegener's granulomatosis by cyclophosphamide and glucocorticoid pulse doses with the application of plasmaphereses and immunoglobulin pulse doses in the initial therapy lead to the remission of progressive types of long duration.

[Platelet function]

Platelets are cells which possess broad potential activities in the area of both physiological functions and physiological disorders. The role of platelets in haemostasis with vascular injury is well documented. With vascular and endothelial cell injury, the following sequence of platelet events includes: adhesion, aggregation, secretion. In addition, platelets have a certain role in formation of a permanent haemostatic plug and prolongation of the period of vasoconstriction. There is also the recent evidence of the role of platelets in haemostasis without vessel wall injury. It is evident that platelets play the essential role not only in normal haemostasis but also in wound healing, maintenance of normal plasma homeostasis by endocytosis as well as in inflammation. Platelets play a role in the following pathological events: atherosclerosis, tissue fibrosis, tromboembolism, graft rejection, cancer metastasis. A complete insight into the content of platelet depot organelles, and their functional possibilities requires further research in this area.

Dynamic analysis of the three-phasic vascular response to histamine in coronary circulation

In this work we tried to perform a dynamic analysis of coronary vascular response to histamine, using a simple mathematical analysis as a first step in the better understanding of complex histamine effects on coronary blood vessels of the isolated guinea pig heart. So, we defined more parameters, such as: I and delta I to quantify the intensity of coronary perfusion pressure (CPP) change, T and dt to quantify the time CPP change occurs and D to characterize the intensity and duration of CPP change, i.e. to quantify the dynamics of this change.

[The antiphospholipid syndrome--yesterday, today, tomorrow]

Antiphospholipid syndrome (APLS), is defined as the presence of antiphospholipid antibodies (APLA) associated with clinical phenomena of arterial or venous thrombosis, recurrent spontaneous abortions and thrombocytopenia. APLA represent the family of antibodies of different specificity. They are mostly directed to various anionic phospholipids (cardiolipin, phosphatidylcholine, phosphatidylserine, phosphatidyl acid and phosphatidyl ethanolamine). The part of APLA is directed towards epitope at the structurally changed beta-2-GPI, the so-called anti beta-2-GPI antibodies and the hypothesis was established that the subgroup of APLA was directed towards complex of beta-2-GPI with the phospholipids and oxidized lipoproteins of high and very low density. This could explain the clinically observed association of mutual onset of thrombosis and atherosclerosis. The most frequent target tissues for APLA are endothelial cells, thrombocytes, monocytes, natural anticoagulant system and placenta. APLA can be detected in a serum with one of the following assays: testing of lupus anticoagulant presence, determination of anticardiolipin antibodies (ACLA) concentration by ELISA and by testing the false positivity of VDRL test (standard test for syphilis). The pathological base for so-called vasculopathy in APLS are arterial and venous thrombosis. Clinical manifestations of APLS are mainly the result of blood vessels' occlusion but the thrombotic mass deposition on the surface of the heart valves may also occur. Clinically APLS can be divided into primary and secondary one, and manifestations of the secondary APLS are mainly expressed in the patients with SLE. Some clinical and serological variants of primary APLS were also described. The tendency for thrombotic process as a crucial characteristic of the syndrome and the lack of inflammation, imposes the choice of antithrombotic and anticoagulant therapy.

Antiphospholipid syndrome in systemic connective tissue diseases

Clinical manifestation and immunoserological features of secondary antiphospholipid syndrome (SAPS) were analyzed in this paper in 107 patients with systemic connective tissue diseases. In the group of patients with confirmed systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), antiphospholipid antibodies (aPL) were positive in 43/93 (46.23%), while in 50/93 (53.76%) they were negative. Among aPL positive patients, 33/43 (76.74%) had clinical manifestations of SAPS, while 10 patients (23.26%) were without any clinical manifestations. The most frequent manifestations of SAPS associated with SLE were: arteriovenous thrombosis in 20/43 (46.51%), thrombocitopenia in 15/43 (34.88%) and autoimmune hemolytic anemia in 7/43 (16.27%). In our patients, rare manifestations of SAPS associated with SLE were recurrent fetal loss (1 case), livedo reticularis (1 case), transversal myelitis (2 cases), neuropathy (2 cases) and aseptic endocarditis (Libman-Sacks) (5 cases). Among 7 patients, with Sjögren's syndrome, clinically manifested SAPS was observed in 2, while in other 5 only increased aPL levels were found, as well as in patients with systemic vasculitis-3, MCTD-2 and Sy. Sjögren with vasculitis-1. One RA patient had thrombosis of v. cava inferior. In majority of patients with clinically present SAPS the levels of both examined immunoglobulin isotypes (IgG + IgM) were decreased-21/40 or 52.5%, while isolated increase of IgG was found in 14 (35%) and isolated increase of IgM in 5 (19.22%) patients. In three out of five patients with Libman-Sacks only LA test was positive. This investigation have shown that arterial and venous thromboses are the most common manifestations of SAPS in SLE. Every blood vessel may be involved (from arteriolae to the aorta and from postcapilar venules to the v. cava).

[Dermatopolymyositis and overlap syndromes]

Clinical characteristics and immunoserological features of patients with overlap myositis treated in Clinic for Rheumatology of Military Medical Academy in the period 1978-1996 are presented in the study. Retrospective and partially prospective study included 16 patients with the diagnosis of dermatopolymyositis associated with some other systemic disease of connective tissue (SDCT) in overlap syndrome. There were 12-females of average age 37.33 years and 4 males of average age 52.25 years. Complete laboratory investigation included the determination of muscular enzymes values. Immunoserological analyses were also performed (RF, Le cells, ANA, ICs, immunoglobulins, cryoglobulins and complement), EMNG examination of pelvis and shoulder and pH examination of skin, subcutaneous tissue and muscles. The combination of the diseases was found in 11 patients, 7 were with PSS, 2 with SLE, 1 with RA and one with PAN. Three diseases were associated in 4 patients, SLE and RA in 2, PSS and RA in 1, thyroiditis and sicca complex in 1. Five-fold combination of disease was found in 1 patient. More frequent occurrence of fever, polyarthritis, skin manifestations, Raynoud's phenomenon, the involvement of serosas, lungs and heart, histological finding of skin and/or muscle vasculitis and larger presence of ANA, ICs, hypergammaglobulinemia and hypocomplementemia pointed out the dominant disorder of humoral immunity which was most probably connected with associated SDCT.

A simple morphological score for the quality control of platelet concentrates

The percentage of platelets that retain discoid form correlate with their post-transfusion viability and therefore they may act as a simple indicator for the quality of the stored platelet concentrates (PCs). The morphological score (MS) of platelets, given by Kunicki, requires the index of different forms of platelets: discoid, spherical, starlike and bizarre. In the present study, we intended to clarify whether the morphological score of discoid platelets alone could serve as a method for the estimation of PCs quality. During the first five days after preparation, samples of standard platelet concentrates (SPCs) and of leucodepleted platelet concentrates (LDPCs) were analyzed morphologically by immersion light microscopy using smears stained by the May-Grünwald-Giemsa method. In addition to the MS, an original Modified Morphological Score (MMS), for a population of 200 platelets, was used to count platelets with the discoid shape. The mean MMS ranged (first to fifth day) from 192.6 to 166.6 with SPCs and from 197.2 to 185.4 with LDPCs. There is a significant difference (ANOVA) between: (a) PCs prepared by different techniques (p < 0.01); (b) the quality of the same PCs during the storage (p < 0.0001).

[Reiter's syndrome--analysis of 187 patients]

The study included 187 patients with positive diagnosis of Reiter's syndrome (RS) examined and treated in the Clinic of Rheumatology of Military Medical Academy in the period of 26 years (1970-1995). There were 176 males and 11 females (16:1) aged from 12 to 65 (average age 28.5) years. The disease diagnosis was made upon the clinical finding of at least two of four RS main features: acute urogenital or enteral infection, arthritis, ophthalmic and mucocutaneous changes. Family disease occurrence was noticed in 5, and juvenile type in 6 patients. HLA-B27 antigen was present in 81.5% patients. In 74.3% patients the urogenital disease type was determined, in 18.2% enterocolitic and in 7.5% initial causative agent was not discovered. Three or two RS main signs were present in approximately same number of patients (42.2% and 42.6%) while all the four disease signs were found in 15% patients. Acute or subacute course was found in 43.8%, recurrent in 34.2% and chronic in 22% patients. Clinically, the disease was revealed in locomotor system, most frequently as the asymmetric oligoartritis localized in lower extremities. Sacroiliac arthritis, partial or more frequently asymmetric mutual, radiologically confirmed, was present in 18.2% patients. Only one patient was with sacroiliitis without peripheral arthritis, pain in heel was present in 31.5%, and dactilitis, more frequently in the feet, in 13.9% patients. Radiological changes were found in 51.8% patients, most frequently in sacroiliac joints and heel bone. Chlamydia trachomatis or genital mycoplasma were isolated in synovial fluid of 33.3% (6/18) patients. The most frequent urogenital change was urethritis (56.7), ophthalmic--conjunctivitis (46.5), and mucocutaneous--balanitis (12.3). Positive damage of heart and kidneys by primary disease was found in 2, i.e. 4 patients, and possible in 7, i.e. 14 patients. No differences in RS clinical demonstration among sexes were observed. Besides conventional therapy, in only 26 (13.9%) patients were applied drugs out of the basic group, so as the radiation synovectomy and surgical methods of treatment.

[A manic syndrome after cerebral trauma: case report]

This case report describes a 17-year-old female patient in whom a clinical picture of manic syndrome developed four days after craniocerebral trauma. The diagnostic procedure comprised neuropsychological, neurophysiological and neuroanatomical examination. The diagnosis revealed discrete organicity on the level of psychic functions, whereas magnetic resonance imaging revealed changes of the right hemisphere. One case cannot reveal the etiology of affective disorders after cerebral injuries, but gathered results point to the possibility of causal connection between craniocerebral trauma and manic syndrome.

[Cyclosporin A in the treatment of Behçet's disease]

The results of Cyclosporin A treatment of 15 patients with Behçet's disease were examined in the study--9 females (aged from 32 to 34 years, mean 33 years) and 12 males (aged from 25 to 55 years, approximately 34.33 years). Among them, the majority were with chorioretinitis (10/15 or 66.6%). Besides chorioretinitis two patients were simultaneously with iridocyclltis, while in three the whole nervous system was affected (meningoencephalitis, simultaneously pyramidal syndrome with the signs of extrapyramidal lesion and consciousness disorder in one patient). In one patient myocarditis was revealed, and the one was with deep aphtous ulcer. The approximate daily dose was 5 mg/kg in 13 patients, and 7.5 mg/kg/d in 2 patients. For that, the level of the drug in blood elevated from 79 to 380 ng/ml, approximately 170 ng/ml. The effect was favourable in 12 patients (complete restraint of the disease evolution), partial in 2 patients (slowing of the disease course) while it was incomplete in one patient for the interruption of the therapy 15 days after its beginning.

[Fibronectin--a multifunctional glycoprotein]

Fibronectin is an ubiquitous glycoprotein that plays an important role in many biological processes. Plasma and cellular fibronectins are similar, but not identical molecular structures. Cellular fibronectin has ED1 and ED2 components that do no exist in plasma fibronectin. Human plasma fibronectin is a high molecular weight (440-530 kD) glycoprotein, consisting of two nearly identical subunits disulfide-bridged close to their C-terminal ends. Tetrapeptide "RGDS" and polypeptide "CS1" are receptors for cell surface integrins. Numerous receptors for macromolecules enable to bridging of fibronectin to the fibrin, heparin, factor XIIIa, plasminogen, tissue type plasminogen activator, collagen, bacterial and virus glycoproteins. Cellular fibronectin is a component of the fibrillar extracellular matrix compartment and basal membrane of all tissues that are involved in the tissue modelling in embryogenesis and tissue remodelling in wound healing. Plasma fibronectin is involved in the mechanisms of immune defence, immune surveillance and hemostasis.

[Our experience in the treatment of painful shoulder syndrome by Streptofil]

Streptofil is a biological product obtained from streptococcus beta haemoliticus, with molecular weight of 700 D and antigenic properties. It has anti-inflammatory, antibacterial and reparative effects. The objective of our study was to test the Streptofil therapy effect on painful shoulder syndrome. Testing included 73 patients. One ml of Streptofil was used locally in the projection of m. supraspinatus insertion five days a week; treatment lasted 3 weeks in average. Therapy effect estimate was made according to Constant and Murley method. As full clinical effect we considered pain loss and complete function restitution (score 90-100) and incomplete reduction or loss of pain and incomplete function recovery (score less than 90). Control radiography was performed only in patients with calcification tendinitis. In 46% of patients tendon calcification had disappeared. Full clinical effect was achieved in 80% of the patients in whom tendon calcification disappeared after therapy, and in 58% of those in whom it remained. This finding coincided with results obtained in the group of patients without tendon calcification.

[Principles of the current therapy in autoimmune diseases]

Presented are principles of systemic connective tissue diseases therapy (SCTD) based on data from literature, our experience and reported at international meetings held in Europe during last years special attention has been paid to the advances and perspectives in the treatment of rheumatoid arthitis (RA) and systemic lupus erythematosus (SEL).

[The antiphospholipid syndrome in systemic connective tissue diseases]

The aim of the study was to prove the incidence of antiphospholipid syndrome (APS) in systemic connective tissue disease (SCTD), especially in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and to find out serologic markers of APS. Of 94 patients with SCTD followed up in the last three years 80 had SLE, 7 Sjogren's syndrome, 3 systemic vasculitis, 2 combined systemic connective tissue disease, 1 rheumatoid arthritis, 1 Sjogren's syndrome with vasculitis. Antiphospholipid antibodies (ApSt) were determined by ELISA method. In 31 of 80 patients with SLE (38.07%) antiphospholipid antibodies were proved. In lo of 31 (32.26%) signs of systemic lupus or the presence of APS markers have not been found, while 21 of 31 (67.74%) had some of clinical manifestations of APS (most commonly thrombocytopenia or vascular thrombosis) with evolution of the basic disease. Among our patients with SLE the most common finding was IgG antibody isotype-in 14 or 66.66% of cases. In 5 of 7 patients with Sjogren's syndrome ApAt were proved without clinical evolution of the basic disease and APS. Only 2 of 7 patients of this group showed, together with more increased ApAt, mild evolution of the basic disease and manifestation of APS (livado reticularis and recurrent venous thrombosis).

[Importance of immunomorphometric evaluation of the size and number of megakaryocytes in normal and pathologic bone marrow]

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the significance of immunomorphometric assessment of megakaryocyte size and number in normal and pathologic human bone marrow. Thus, we compared morphometric characteristics of megakaryocytes in 56 bone marrow trephine biopsies stained by immunohistochemical and conventional techniques. Morphometric results showed that precise megakaryocyte size in normal and pathologic samples can be calculated even by using conventional staining technique, but only employing specific stereological corrections. Immunomorphometric evaluation revealed populations of "small" megakaryocytes (< 14 microns), "morphologically unrecognized" by conventional staining technique (promegakaryoblasts in normal and stimulated as well as micromegakaryocytes in pathologic bone marrow). In patients with normal and stimulated megakaryocytopoises percentage of "small" megakaryocytes was generally low (10.6% and 14%, respect.); so, megakaryocyte number was similar in immunohistochemically and conventionally stained sections. In contrast, percentages of "small" megakaryocytes were significantly higher in patients with stem cell disorders (namely, myelodisplastic syndrome and chronic granulocytic leukaemia), as compared to controls (35.3% in MDS; 22.9% in CML and 10.6% in controls). In those patients megakaryocyte numbers were more sensitively detected by immunohistochemistry than by conventional staining.