The gray level co-occurrence matrix (GLCM) algorithm is a contemporary computational biology method which, today, is frequently used to detect small changes in texture that are not visible using conventional techniques. We demonstrate that the toxic compound 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA) and iron oxide nanoparticles (IONPS) have opposite effects on GLCM features of cell nuclei. Saccharomyces cerevisiae yeast cells were treated with 6-OHDA and IONPs, and imaging with GLCM analysis was performed at three different time points: 30 min, 60 min, and 120 min after the treatment. A total of 200 cell nuclei were analyzed, and for each nucleus, 5 GLCM parameters were calculated: Angular second moment (ASM), Inverse difference moment (IDM), Contrast (CON), Correlation (COR) and Sum Variance (SVAR). Exposure to IONPs was associated with the increase of ASM and IDM while the values of SVAR and COR were reduced. Treatment with 6-OHDA was associated with the increase of SVAR and CON, while the values of nuclear ASM and IDM were reduced. This is the first study to indicate that IONPs and 6-OHDA have opposite effects on nuclear texture. Also, to the best of our knowledge, this is the first study to apply the GLCM algorithm in Saccharomyces cerevisiae yeast cells in this experimental setting.

In this paper, we present results that iron oxide nanoparticles (IONPs) induce time-dependent structural changes in nuclei of buccal epithelial cells. The cells were treated with magnetite, Fe O nanoparticles (spherical shape, diameter 80-100 nanometres). The digital micrographs of the nuclei were made in 3 different time points: 15, 30 and 60 min after the treatment with IONPs, as well as in the control cells. A total of 120 nuclear structures (30 per sample) were analysed. Fractal analysis of nuclei was done in ImageJ software of the National Institutes of Health, (Bethesda, MD, USA). For each nuclear structure, the values of fractal dimension and lacunarity were calculated. There was a time-dependent reduction of nuclear fractal dimension in buccal epithelial cells after exposure to magnetite iron oxide nanoparticles. Negative trend was observed (p < 0.01). Nuclear lacunarity, as another fractal parameter was shown to increase, also in a time-dependent manner, after the treatment with IONPs. To our knowledge, this is the first study to investigate effects of magnetite nanomaterial on nuclear fractal complexity, and also the first to apply fractal analysis method in testing of the interaction between nanoparticles and cell nucleus in this experimental setting.

Recent findings have suggested that iron oxide nanoparticles (IONPs) have some exceptional chemical characteristics which make them useful in both experimental physiology and cell biology research. These nanoparticles might be applied as drug delivery systems for anti-cancer and other medications. Also, IONPs might be a valuable part of many novel bioassays in various fundamental medical fields. In recent years, several studies have indicated that IONPs may have certain cytotoxic and genotoxic potential in living systems. During in vitro conditions, IONPs might induce generation of reactive oxygen species and cause oxidative stress in some cell populations. The toxicity of IONPs is not yet fully understood, and additional research is needed to confirm if IONPs have detrimental effects on human health. This short article focuses on the recent developments and trends in the fields of nanomedicine and nanobiology regarding iron oxide nanomaterials and their application in fundamental medical disciplines such as experimental physiology. We discuss our previously published works on structural effects of IONPs and other metallic nanoparticles on cell nucleus in in vitro conditions. We also describe our recent findings regarding the impact of IONPs on certain biophysical properties of subcellular components.

The goal of this work was to establish a connection between the optical parameters of the skin in which the acupuncture points have been settled and the pathological state of the organism. For the first time a connection between the optical characteristics of the specific skin parts (acupuncture points) and the state of the organism has been demonstrated. The optical parameter of the acupuncture point optical parameter (on surface of the reflectance curve between 470 nm and 660 nm) conduct in accordance with the traditional Chinese medicine theories (balance disturbance within the organism, time change). Acquired results point to the possibility of using acupuncture point optical parameter measuring as a method to determine the number of therapeutical treatments during the traditional Chinese medical treatments.

The Objective of this paper was to describe the current status of continued professional development of healthcare workers in Serbia and knowledge of Internet tools being a support to their education. A crosssectional descriptive study was applied utilizing an interviewer-administered questionnaire. The sample consisted of 201 health workers from two Serbian districts. Results show that 27 (13.4%) had no permanent Internet access. At Internet based continued medical education courses participated 45 (22.4%) health workers and only 10 (5.0%) used electronic services of Serbian Library Consortium for Coordinated Acquisition. In any time of their professional life 155 (77.1%) had never wrote any paper. There were 73 (36.3%) users of social Internet network, 33 (16.4%) were in contact with telemedicine, 14 (7.0%) heard something about distance e-health, 184 (91.5%) thought that has insufficient computer skills and 15 (7.5%) has no skills. Healthcare professionals in Serbia use mostly the scientific meetings for CME but without active participation. The research shows a great need for development of computer skills, Internet tools knowledge and inclusion in Serbian Library Consortium for Coordinated Acquisition.