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Introduction
Rajna Minic currently works at the Department of Scientific Research, Institute of Virology, Vaccines and Sera, Torlak.
Rajna used to work at the Institute for Medical Research, Immunology group. Rajna does research in Microbiology, Clinical Immunology and Allergology.
Current institution
Publications
Publications (53)
Background/Objectives: The prevalence of obesity worldwide has rapidly increased. Numerous studies showed a beneficial effect of probiotics in obese individuals, and changes in hematological parameters are observed in obesity. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate the effect of a novel probiotic approach on the red blood cells (RBCs)...
The progression of monoclonal gammopathies is affected by a range of factors, including the microenvironment surrounding plasma cells. It is recognized that TGF-β1 plays a distinct role in stimulating IgA production. Hence, this study aims to investigate whether individuals with serum IgA monoclonal immunoglobulins (paraproteins) exhibit elevated t...
Introduction
Alternative in vitro tests that can be used instead of animal experiments are those that can most closely evaluate the biological activity of the drug of interest. For testing the potency of antivenom, these are the methods used to assess cytotoxicity. The aim of this study was to evaluate the most commonly used cytotoxicity methods fo...
12-week supplementation with the new probiotic formulation containing Lactiplantibacillus plantarum 299v, Saccharomyces cerevisiae var. boulardii , and octacosanol showed beneficial effects on certain metabolic parameters, proinflammatory proteins and appetite-regulating hormones in obese women.
Grass pollen is the most common cause of pollen allergies in Europe. However, growing evidence suggests that air pollution and climate change may contribute to the rising number of allergic cases and worsening symptoms. This narrative review article aims to summarize the impacts of increased health complications based on pollution research in recen...
Porcine thyroglobulin was important in the discovery of alpha-Gal allergy. Here, the linkage of porcine thyroglobulin-specific IgE with IgE positivity to routinely assessed allergens and to the incoming diagnosis within a population of suspected atopic individuals is explored.
IgE, IgA, total IgG and IgG subclasses to porcine thyroglobulin, IgE to...
Background
The progression of monoclonal gammopathies is affected by a range of factors, including the microenvironment surrounding plasma cells. It is recognized that TGF-β1 plays a distinct role in stimulating IgA production. Hence, this study aims to investigate whether individuals with serum IgA monoclonal immunoglobulins (paraproteins) exhibit...
Myasthenia gravis (MG) is a disease with impaired transmission at the neuromuscular junction, characterised by weakness and fatigability of skeletal muscles. In acquired autoimmune MG, antibodies against acetylcholine receptor (AChRAb) or muscle-specific tyrosine kinase (MuSKAb) are present. There is not much data about immunoglobulin G (IgG) galac...
The size of circulating immune complexes (CICs) in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) could be an emerging criterion in disease diagnosis. This study analyzed size and electrokinetic potential of CICs from RA patients, healthy young adults, and RA patients age-matched controls aiming to establish their unique CIC features. Pooled CIC of 30 RA patients, 30 y...
Background: Recent literature data highlights the presence of metabolic changes in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). To explore possible early metabolic changes, we aimed to analyze the fatty acids (FA) composition of erythrocytes in newly diagnosed ALS patients and to see whether fatty acid levels correlate with the ALSFRS-R score or disease du...
Transforming growth factor beta (TGF-β) is a ubiquitously distributed cytokine known to contribute to the pathogenesis of numerous pathological processes. The aim of this study was to measure serum concentrations of TGF-β1 in severely ill COVID-19 patients and to analyze its relationship with selected hematological and biochemical parameters and wi...
Increased interest in microbiota calls for the thorough analysis of antibody reactivity to different microorganisms. As salivary IgA represents the first line of defence against microorganisms contacting mucosal surfaces, we explored the binding and specificity of salivary IgA by testing the binding of purified, FITC‐labelled salivary IgA to differ...
In vivo animal models can provide worthy information on various aspects of asthma mechanism and pathogenesis. The genetic predisposition and phenotype of mice may affect the immune response itself. Here we compare the early immune response to Der p 2 or HDM allergen extract upon injection and inhalation in BALB/c and C57BL/6 mice. Female C57BL/6 an...
The predictors of intestinal carriage of vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus spp. (VRE) among high-risk patients in the counties of the Southeast Europe Region are insufficiently investigated, yet they could be of key importance in infection control. The aim of the study was to identify risk factors associated with fecal VRE colonization among high-r...
S. pneumoniae is an important human pathogen which has a polysaccharide capsule with virulent properties. This work aims to estimate the titres of S. pneumoniae specific IgG and IgA isotypes, with respect to age and sex.
An in-house whole bacterial cell ELISA was used for the determination of relative levels and endpoint titres of IgG subclasses an...
The surface of microorganisms is covered with carbohydrates, which makes them unique, self-sustaining glycan probes. Lectins are able to bind to these probes, and this interaction can be exploited for selecting microorganisms or novel lectins. To examine lectin-microorganism interactions, we have previously developed an enzyme-linked lectin sorbent...
Objective:
The aim of this study was to determine any differences in oxidative stress and inflammation parameters in COPD patients treated with either N-acetyl cysteine (NAC) alone or with NAC in combination with propolis (NACP).
Patients and methods:
Forty COPD patients in the exacerbation phase were enrolled into the study and were treated wit...
Background
The screening for intestinal carriage of vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus spp. (VRE) among high risk patients in the Balkan region and molecular epidemiology of VRE is insufficiently investigated, yet it could be of key importance in infection control. The aim of this study was to provide baseline data on VRE intestinal carriage among h...
Fluorescently labeled lectins are useful tools for in vivo and in vitro studies of the structure and function of tissues and various pathogens such as viruses, bacteria, and fungi. For the evaluation of high-mannose glycans present on various glycoproteins, a three-dimensional (3D) model of the chimera was designed from the crystal structures of re...
The MTT assay is routinely used to detect the activity of living cells. While working with Vipera ammodytes venom we detected the reduction of MTT without the presence of cells, in a concentration-dependent manner. By combining non-reducing PAGE, L-amino acid oxidase (LAAO) assays, and standard MTT assays, we established and confirmed that venom MT...
Natural, polyreactive, low-affinity antibodies are known to play an important role not only in the immediate defense against pathogens, but also in shaping the acquired immune response. On the other hand, antigen specific, high-affinity antibodies can affect the balance of natural antibodies and lead to autoimmune diseases. In this study, we have a...
The enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) is a commonly used analytical immunochemistry assay based on the specific bond between the antigen and the antibody. The application of this test has significantly changed the practice of medical laboratories in which it is used for detection and quantification of molecules such as hormones, peptides, a...
Background and objectives: The relationship between air pollen quantity and the sensitization of allergic patients is crucial for both the diagnosis and treatment of allergic diseases. Weather conditions influence the distribution of allergenic pollen and increases in pollen concentration may negatively affect the health of allergic patients. The a...
The surface of microorganisms is covered with polysaccharide structures which are in immediate contact with receptor structures on host’s cells and antibodies. The interaction between microorganisms and their host is dependent on surface glycosylation and in this study we have tested the interaction of plant lectins with different microorganisms. E...
Background:
The aim of this study was to compare serum sclerostin concentrations in patients with thyroid dysfunction with euthyroid control subjects and to assess the relationship between sclerostin and markers of bone metabolism (osteocalcin and beta-cross-laps).
Methods:
The study included 30 patients with thyroid dysfunction (hypothyroidism,...
During time, both professionals and general public became aware of the importance of animal welfare. This term not only covers endangered wild animal species, animals used in food industry, pets and experimental animals, but also animals used in production of biologics. The implementation of the 3R concept (Replacement, Reduction and Refinement) is...
Aim
To investigate the immunomodulatory potential of a chimera composed of the receptor-binding domain of hemagglutinin 1 (H1s) from Influenza virus and Der p 2 (D2) allergen for allergen-specific immunotherapy of house-dust mite allergy (HDM).
Main methods
H1sD2 chimera and D2 allergen were produced by genetic engineering in E. coli. Recombinant...
The goal of this work was to elucidate similarities between microorganisms from the perspective of the humoral immune system reactivity in professional athletes. The reactivity of serum IgG of 14 young, individuals was analyzed to 23 selected microorganisms as antigens by use of the in house ELISA. Serum IgM and IgA reactivity was also analyzed and...
Control reactivity to microorganisms, experimental data, absorbance.
(XLSX)
Professional athletes reactivity to microorganisms, experimental data.
(XLSX)
Lactobacillus rhamnosus LA86 attached to a MaxiSorp ELISA plate.
The attached bacteria were stained with Giemsa stain, the well was filled with distilled water and visualized under Inverted microscope, objective magnification 100x.
(TIF)
Titration, absorbances at serial dilutions.
(XLSX)
Michalickova, D, Minic, R, Kotur-Stevuljevic, J, Andjelkovic, M, Dikic, N, Kostic-Vucicevic, M, Slanar, O, and Djordjevic, B. Changes in parameters of oxidative stress, immunity, and behavior in endurance athletes during a preparation period in winter. J Strength Cond Res XX(X): 000-000, 2018-The current study monitored markers of immunological and...
Aims:
The study examined the influence of sex and mouse strain on germinal center (GC) reaction and antibody responses to seasonal split trivalent influenza vaccine (TIV).
Main methods:
C57BL/6 and BALB/c mice of both sexes were immunized with TIV and examined for specific antibody response by ELISA. Splenic T follicular regulatory (Tfr), T foll...
The study explored influence of biological sex on development of humoral immune response to seasonal trivalent whole inactivated virus (WIV) and split virus (SV) influenza vaccines in outbred Swiss mouse model. To this end, mice of both sexes were immunized with WIV (WIV mice) and SV vaccines (SV mice) and examined for specific antibody response. I...
Importance:
This work presents development of Lactobacillus plantarum as a candidate mucosal vaccine against tuberculosis. Tuberculosis remains a top infectious disease worldwide and the only available vaccine, Bacille Calmette Guérin, or BCG, fails to protect adults and adolescents. Direct antigen delivery to mucosal sites is a promising strategy...
BACKGROUND
Group 1 and group 2 allergens from house dust mite are the major elicitors of respiratory allergic diseases and the main candidates for immunotherapy.
RESULTS
The potential therapeutic role of a chimera composed of recombinant Der p 2 (D2) linked to Influenza A virus hemagglutinin 1 (H1) for intranasal application was created, expressed...
Western life style, and high calorie diet in particular is causing major health problems such as insulin resistance, hepatic steatosis and heart disease in the modern age. High fat diet (HFD) induces similar changes in mice, such as increased body weight, hypercholesterolemia and accumulation of triglycerides in the liver. These changes can be amel...
In order to test the influence of probiotic supplementation on humoral immune response a double-blind placebo-controlled trial was conducted. Thirty athletes (24 males and 6 females, females: VO2max 38.2 ± 4.9 ml/kg/min, age 23.2 ± 1.4 years; males: VO2max 57.5 ± 9.2 ml/kg/min, age 24.0 ± 2.4 years, mean ± SD) were randomized either to the probioti...
A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study was conducted to evaluate if Lactobacillus helveticus Lafti L10 (Lallemand Health Solutions, Montreal, Que., Canada) supplementation during 14 weeks in winter can influence the duration, severity, and incidence of upper respiratory tract illness (URTI), as well as to monitor different immune para...
The Institute of Virology, Vaccines and Sera Torlak was established in 1927, while the first vaccine was produced in the Institute in 1930. Vaccines production implies using experimental animals, including mice, in in-process controls. The laboratory mice which have been in use in Torlak Institute from the very beginning belong to Swiss albino outb...
Testing of every new vaccine involves investigation of its immunogenicity, which is based on monitoring its ability to induce specific antibodies in animals. The fastest and most sensitive method used for this purpose is enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). However, commercial ELISA kits with whole influenza virus antigens are not available o...
An outbred mouse model was used to determine if antibody response to immunization with whole-virus trivalent inactivated influenza vaccine (TIV) differs between the sexes. The antibody response was examined one (serum titer of IgM antibodies), and three and six weeks post-immunization (serum titer of neutralizing and total IgG antibodies and IgG su...
Group I grass pollen allergens are major contributors to grass pollen-related seasonal allergic rhinitis, and as such a primary target for allergen specific immunotherapy. In this study the potential therapeutic role of oral application of Lactobacillus plantarum WCFS1, directing cell wall attachment of the recombinant Fes p 1 allergen, from Festuc...
Abstract Recent reports suggest that the metabolic activity of the enteric microbiota may influence the fatty acid composition of the host tissue. There are many studies dealing with the influence of lactobacilli on various pathological conditions, and some of the effects are strain-specific. This study was designed to test the effects of a particu...
In this study two Lactobacillus strains L. rhamnosus LA68 and L. plantarum WCFS1 were evaluated for their effects on high fat diet induced pathology in mice. The aim was to determine whether the administration of lactic acid bacteria had beneficial effects on ameliorating pathology. C57BL/6 mice fed with high fat diet were orally administered with...
