Raziskava fitokemične vsebnosti, antioksidativnih lastnosti in antibakterijskega potenciala alžirske vrste Bunium incrassatum

The current study highlights the efficacy of tuber extracts from the Algerian medicinal plant Bunium incrassatatum for their phytochemical content, antioxidant and antimicrobial activities. Indeed, the ethanolic maceration method proved to be the most effective for phytochemical extraction, showing the highest yield extraction. Moreover, the ethanolic maceration displayed a higher polyphenol and flavonoid content compared to the methanolic extract. The antioxidant potentials of methanolic and ethanolic extracts of Bunium incrassatum were reported by the DPPH assay, revealing moderate efficacy of IC50 values of 380.53 µg/mL and 261.75 µg/mL, respectively, indicating that both of these extracts can be considered a good resource of natural antioxidants. In terms of antibacterial activity, the methanolic extract exhibited appreciable antimicrobial activities against different bacterial strains like Staphylococcus aureus, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Bacillus cereus, and Escherichia coli, with average zones of inhibition of 10.74 mm, 10.14 mm, 10.03 mm, and 9.45 mm, respectively. The present study underlined that the extracts from Bunium incrassatum tubers could be a rich raw material with an interesting profile in phytochemical content, antioxidant, and antimicrobial activities, deserving further studies for applications in drug medicine, therapy, and nutrition.Sedanja študija poudarja učinkovitost izvlečkov gomoljev iz alžirske zdravilne rastline Bunium incrassatatum zaradi njihove fitokemične vsebnosti, antioksidativnega in protimikrobnega delovanja. Dejansko se je izkazalo, da je metoda etanolne maceracije najučinkovitejša za fitokemično ekstrakcijo z največjim izkoristkom ekstrakcije. Poleg tega je etanolna maceracija pokazala večjo vsebnost polifenolov in flavonoidov v primerjavi z metanolnim ekstraktom. O antioksidativnem potencialu metanolnih in etanolnih izvlečkov Bunium incrassatum so poročali s testom DPPH, ki je pokazal zmerno učinkovitost vrednosti IC50 380,53 µg/mL oziroma 261,75 µg/mL, kar kaže, da se oba izvlečka lahko štejeta za dober vir naravnega antioksidanti. Kar zadeva protibakterijsko delovanje, je pokazal znatno protimikrobno delovanje proti različnim bakterijskim sevom, kot so Staphylococcus aureus, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Bacillus cereus in Escherichia coli, s povprečnimi conami inhibicije 10,74 mm, 10,14 mm, 10,03 mm oziroma 9,45 mm. Sedanja študija je poudarila, da bi lahko bili izvlečki iz gomoljev Bunium incrassatum bogata surovina z zanimivim profilom fitokemične vsebnosti, antioksidativnih in protimikrobnih aktivnosti, ki si zaslužijo nadaljnje študije za uporabo v medicini, terapiji in prehrani

Uporaba klasičnega PCR in RT-PCR za odkrivanje nekaterih genov faktorjev virulence bakterij Escherichia coli, izoliranih iz pacientk z uroinfektom

Escherichia coli is the most common type of Enterobacteriaceae family that causes urinary tract infections. This bacterium causes diseases due to its many virulence factors. During the study, (150) urine samples were collected for women with symptoms of UTIs aged between (20-50) years from 1/9/2021 to 1/4/2022. Forty-five isolates of E. coli were diagnosed using a biochemical test, a VITEK2 system, and molecular detection using traditional PCR. A molecular study was conducted on 25 of these isolates using conventional PCR and qRT-PCR to investigate the presence of genes included (16S rRNA, uidA,  fimA and kpsMTII). The traditional PCR results showed the presence of both 16S rRNA and uidA gene in all 25 isolates of E. coli. In contrast, the results showed that  23 (92%) and 18 (72%) isolates possessed fimA and kpsMTII genes, respectively. Following the extraction of RNA from twenty-five pathogenic isolates of E. coli and ten non-pathogenic isolates, gene expression of fimA and kpsMTII was quantified using quantitative real-time reverse transcription PCR (qRT-PCR). The observed fold change indicates a potential overexpression of the KSPMII and FimA genes in uropathogenic E. coli. The expression of the kpsMTII gene showed the highest level of folding with an average of 22.89 in the case of uropathogenic E.coli isolates compared with non-pathogenic isolates (control) with an average of 4.11. While the expression of the fimA gene with the highest level of fold change with an average of 90.52 in the case of uropathogenic E.coli isolates compared with non-pathogenic isolates (control) with an average of 0.94, Significant differences were observed among the isolates, as indicated by P values less than 0.05. This finding demonstrated that qRT-PCR detects genes that were expressed in comparison with traditional PCR. Also, qRT-PCR is a more sensitive and accurate assay than conventional PCR for determining the quantitative prevalence of E. coli in urine samples.Escherichia coli je najpogostejša vrsta iz družine Enterobacteriaceae, ki povzroča okužbo sečil. Ta bakterija lahko povzroči bolezni zaradi številnih dejavnikov virulence. Med študijo je bilo zbranih 150 vzorcev urina pri ženskah s simptomi infekcije sečil v starosti 20-50 let. Vzorci so bili nabrani v obdobju od 1.9.2021 do 1.4.2022. Diagnostično smo uporabili 45 izolatov E. coli z biokemičnim testom, sistemom VITEK2 in molekularno detekcijo s klasičnim PCR. Molekularna študija je bila izvedena na 25 od teh izolatov z uporabo klasičnega PCR in qRT-PCR za gene 16S rRNA, uidA, fimA in kpsMTII. Rezultati PCR so pokazali prisotnost 16S rRNA in gena uidA v vseh 25 izolatih E. coli, medtem ko so rezultati pokazali, da je imelo 23 (92 %), izolatov gen fimA in 18 (72 %) gen KSPMII. Po ekstrakciji RNA iz petindvajsetih patogenih izolatov E.coli in desetih nepatogenih izolatov smo ekspresijo genov kvantificirali s kvantitativno PCR v realnem času (qRT-PCR). Opazili smo potencialno čezmerno izražanje genov KSPMII in FimA v uropatogeni E.coli. Ekspresija gena KSPMII je pokazala najvišjo stopnjo ekspresije s povprečjem 22,89 v primeru uropatogenih izolatov E.coli v primerjavi z nepatogenimi izolati (kontrola) s povprečjem 4,113. Medtem ko smo najvišjo ekspresijo gena fimA s povprečjem 90,52 izmerili v primeru uropatogenih izolatov E.coli. Povprečje za nepatogene izolate (kontrola) je bilo 0,946. Naša raziskava je pokazala, da je qRT-PCR bolj občutljiv in natančen test kot klasični PCR za določanje kvantitativne prevalence E. coli v vzorcih urina

Uspešno čiščenje DNK iz agaroznih čepkov PFGE za sekvenciranje celotnega genoma

Whole-genome sequencing (WGS) has replaced Pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE)-based bacterial genotyping as the reference genotyping method. We investigated the suitability of purified genomic DNA extracted from PFGE agarose plugs stored in a laboratory collection for WGS in cases where bacterial isolates are no longer available. Our study has shown that bacterial WGS can be successfully performed on DNA extracted from PFGE agarose plugs.Sekvenciranje celotnega genoma (WGS) je nadomestilo tipizacijo bakterij na osnovi gelske pulzne elektroforeze (PFGE) kot referenčne metode genotipizacije. Raziskali smo primernost genomske DNA, očiščene iz agaroznih čepkov PFGE, shranjenih v laboratorijski zbirki, za WGS v primerih, ko bakterijski izolati niso več na voljo. Naša študija je pokazala, da je bakterijski WGS mogoče uspešno izvesti na DNA, očiščeni iz agaroznih čepkov PFGE

Feminist Approaches to Performing Arts: The Case of Sex Education II

Prispevek pod drobnogled jemlje serijo predavanj-performansov o seksualnem užitku žensk Spolna vzgoja II v režiji Tjaše Črnigoj kot primer feminističnega gledališča v Sloveniji. Uvodoma razdela presečišča feminističnih teorij in uprizoritvenih umetnosti. V vsakem posameznem delu (Diagnoza, Consentire, Zmožnost, Igre, Borba) razmišlja o feminističnih vstopanjih v uprizoritveno prakso tako na nivoju produkcije in snovanja procesa, pri čemer odločilno vlogo igra usmeritev v formo dokumentarnega gledališča, kakor tudi na nivoju vsebinske in formalne analize uprizoritev, kjer Spolna vzgoja II postopoma prehaja od vprašanj teles žensk do širših problematik položaja žensk v družbi in vpliva patriarhata na najintimnejše dele njihovih življenj. Raznolike strategije pristopanja k odrskemu materialu in njegovega posredovanja občinstvu razkrivajo presečnost feminističnega gledališča, kot se udejanja v Spolni vzgoji II.The article examines the series of lecture-performances about the sexual pleasure of women, Sex Education II, directed by Tjaša Črnigoj, as an example of feminist theatre in Slovenia. It begins by exploring the intersections of feminist theories and performing arts. Each component in the series (Diagnosis, Consentire, Ability, Play, Fight) reflects on feminist approaches to performance practice, both in the production and the creative process, wherein the focus on documentary theatre plays a decisive role in the thematic and formal analyses of the performances. Sex Education II gradually transitions from addressing issues of women’s bodies to broader questions about the position of women in society and the influence of patriarchy on the most intimate aspects of their lives. Diverse strategies for approaching stage material and conveying it to the audience reveal the intersectionality of feminist theatre as realised in Sex Education II

Začetek neolitika v Dobrudži (Romunija), razmislek s pomočjo analize koščene industrije

On the Lower Danube River basin, the oldest Neolithic assemblages appear around 6200 BC. However, the evolution of the Neolithic seems to have occurred later in the Dobrudja region between the Danube River and Black Sea. The archaeological evidence from the Dobrudja has shed light on subject long debated by specialists. At the current stage of knowledge, the oldest Neolithic archaeological finds belong to the Hamangia culture (c. 5300–4600 cal BC), although some recent discoveries come from the Prehamangia culture and seem to precede the previously analysed Neolithic settlements, being dated to beyond 5700–5400 cal BC. The archaeozoological study presented in this contribution confirms the pastoral character of the Prehamangia and Hamangia economies, as indicated by the high percentage of domestic animals, especially cattle and caprines. The osseous industry that has been recovered reflects the economic type of these communities, which was clearly oriented towards the exploitation of Ovis aries/Capra hircus and Bos taurus bones. Technologically processed bones were recovered from accumulations of household waste deposited after the slaughter and consumption of these animals. Antler or tooth working is sporadically attested. Unio sp. shells were used as tools in domestic activities, as well as tortoise carapace. There are also worked pieces from exotic raw materials (e.g., Spondylus sp.) that illustrate the existence of wider regional intercommunity and exchange networks. The functions of the bone tools recovered are correlated with the specific economies of these communities, being used in domestic activities for the processing of ceramics, vegetable fibres or wood. The archaeological assemblage from the Hamangia settlement of Cheia was chosen as a case study. Comparisons will be made with the Prehamangia assemblage of Palazu Mare – Malul Mare and the Hamangia assemblage of Techirghiol – Dealul Paloda-Minerva in order to identify technological trends and innovations across both chrono-cultural stages.Najstarejši znani neolitski kompleksi v porečju Spodnje Donave datirajo v obdobje okoli 6200 pr. n. št. V regiji Dobrudža, med reko Donavo in Črnim morjem, pa se zdi, da se je proces neolitizacije začel nekoliko pozneje. Na to časovno zamaknjenost opozarjajo arheološki podatki, ki so bili predmet dolgotrajnih razprav. Trenutna interpretacija kaže, da najstarejše zanesljivo datirane neolitske najdbe na tem območju pripadajo kulturi Hamangia (pribl. 5300–4600 pr. n. št., kalibrirano), čeprav nekatere nove najdbe kažejo na obstoj predhodne kulture pre-Hamangia, ki je datirana v čas pred 5700–5400 pr. n. št., kalibrirano. Naša arheozoološka študija potrjuje obstoj pašnega gospodarstva v obeh kulturah pre-Hamangia in Hamangia. Visok delež ostankov udomačenih živali, predvsem goveda (Bos taurus) in malih prežvekovalcev (Ovis aries/Capra hircus), potrjuje intenzivno živinorejo kot osrednji gospodarski temelj obeh kultur. Koščena industrija, ki temelji predvsem na uporabi kosti omenjenih vrst, potrjuje razširjeno rabo živalskih ostankov v vsakdanjih dejavnostih. Obdelane kosti so bile odkrite v gospodinjskih odpadkih, medtem ko so obdelani rogovi in zobje redko zastopani, kar kaže na selektivno rabo surovin. Prav tako so bile kot funkcionalna orodja uporabljene školjke vrste Unio ter oklepi želv, najverjetneje za potrebe domačih opravil. Izdelki iz eksotičnih surovin (npr. Spondylus sp.) nakazujejo na široka družbena omrežja in izmenjavo. Funkcionalnost koščenih orodij je bila povezana z vsakdanjimi dejavnostmi obeh skupnosti; uporabljali so jih pri izdelavi keramike ter obdelavi rastlinskih vlaken in lesa. Za študijski primer smo izbrali artefaktni zbir kulture Hamangia z najdišča Cheia. S primerjalnimi analizami kostnih zbirov kulture pre-Hamangia na najdišču Palazu Mare – Malul Mare ter kulture Hamangia z najdišča Techirghiol – Dealul Paloda-Minerva bomo prepoznali tehnološke trende in inovacije v obeh kronološko-kulturnih fazah

Omejitve in obljube participativnega urbanističnega načrtovanja: Izkušnje civilnih svetovalnih odborov in mestnih aktivistov v Tbilisiju

Despite efforts to decentralize governance and establish civic advisory boards (CABs) as a mandatory participatory mechanism in Tbilisi, CAB members and urban activists remain dissatisfied with governance and urban planning processes. This study employs qualitative methods, including 34 semi-structured interviews, analysis of administrative data, and a review of legislation and planning documents. It examines participatory urban experiences, assessing the effectiveness of CABs and the role of urban movements. The findings reveal challenges in communication, low public awareness, and limited influence on decision-making. CAB members and activists report weak engagement with the mayor’s office and a consistent disregard for civic input, resulting in ongoing protests that are dismissed by authorities. Strengthening CABs is crucial to ensuring meaningful citizen participation, bridging the gap between the public and policymakers, and addressing the influence of political and economic elites in urban decision-making.Kljub prizadevanjem za decentralizacijo upravljanja in vzpostavitev civilnih svetovalnih odborov (CSO) kot obveznega participativnega mehanizma v Tbilisiju so člani CSO-jev in urbani aktivisti še vedno nezadovoljni s procesi upravljanja in urbanističnega načrtovanja. Študija s pomočjo kvalitativnih metod, vključno s 34 polstrukturiranimi intervjuji, analizo upravnih podatkov ter pregledom zakonodaje in dokumentov o načrtovanju, raziskuje participativne urbane izkušnje, ocenjuje učinkovitost CSO-jev in vlogo urbanih gibanj. Ugotovitve razkrivajo izzive pri komuniciranju, omejeno ozaveščenost javnosti in minimalen vpliv na sprejemanje odločitev. Člani CSO-jev in aktivisti poročajo o šibkem sodelovanju z županovim uradom in neupoštevanju njihovega prispevka, kar vodi v nenehne proteste, ki jih oblasti zavračajo. Krepitev CSO-jev je ključna za zagotavljanje udeležbe državljanov in premostitev vrzeli med javnostjo in oblikovalci politik ter za zmanjšanje vpliva politične in gospodarske elite na sprejemanje odločitev v mestih

Sprememba sloga izvajanja pri godcu iz regije Gyimes glede na okoliščine zbiranja

János Zerkula (1927–2008) was an unavoidable figure of the folk music of the Gyimes region and the Hungarian dance house movement. Since the 1960s, numerous folk music researchers, and enthusiastic folk music lovers recorded him. The study examines how different collection situations have influenced his performance style.János Zerkula (1927–2008) je bil nepogrešljiva osebnost ljudske glasbe v regiji Gyimes in madžarskega gibanja plesna hiša. Od 60. let 20. stoletja so ga snemali številni raziskovalci ljudske glasbe in navdušeni ljubitelji ljudske glasbe. Študija preučuje, kako so različne situacije zbiranja vplivale na njegov slog izvajanja

Poučevanje ljudskega plesa na podlagi strukturne analize na Madžarskem

The paper describes the characteristics features of a definite dance motif from Hungary, presents the framework for its re-creation used during teaching and shows the educational process. The application of the methodological principles of the education contributes to the survival of the dance, promotes the traditional improvisational re-creation of the dance that displays individuality.Članek opisuje značilnosti določenega plesnega motiva z Madžarskega, predstavlja okvir za njegovo poustvarjanje, ki se uporablja pri poučevanju, in prikaže izobraževalni proces. Uporaba pedagoških metodoloških načel prispeva k ohranjanju plesa, spodbuja tradicionalno improvizacijsko poustvarjanje plesa, ki izraža individualnost

Otrok, rojen priseljenim staršem na Lepenskem Viru

Our 2022 article challenged the traditional view of Lepenski Vir as a Mesolithic village that became Neolithic. Instead, genetic analysis suggests it was founded by Aegean farmers who occasionally admixed with local hunter-gatherers but maintained separate burials. New genomes released by Žegarac et al. (2025), including that of an infant boy with fully Aegean ancestry during the final phase of occupation, support the presence of entire immigrant families at the site. The discovery of neonates of mixed ancestry beneath house floors highlights complex interactions during the transitional phase. Additional kinship and identity-by-descent analyses offer deeper insight into early farmer-forager admixture processes.V članku iz leta 2022 smo izzvali tradicionalni pogled na Lepenski Vir kot mezolitsko naselje, ki naj bi postopoma prešlo v neolitsko. Genetske analize kažejo, da so naselje ustanovili kmetje z območja Egejskega morja, ki so se občasno mešali z lokalnimi lovci-nabiralci, pri tem pa ohranjali ločena grobišča. Novi genomski podatki, ki so jih leta 2025 objavili Žegarac in sodelavci, vključno z genomom dečka egejskega porekla iz zadnje faze poselitve, potrjujejo prisotnost celotnih priseljenih družin. Odkritje novorojenčkov mešanega porekla pod tlemi hiš poudarja kompleksnost interakcij v prehodnem obdobju. Dodatne analize sorodstvenih povezav, identitete in genetskega porekla ponujajo podrobnejši vpogled v zgodnje procese mešanja med prvimi kmetovalci in lovci-nabiralci

Pogled osnovno- in srednješolskih učiteljev in učiteljic angleščine kot tujega jezika na Hrvaškem na uporabo UI pri pouku

The use of artificial intelligence (AI) in language learning has rapidly increased with the widespread popularity of generative AI tools such as ChatGPT. Research highlights the need for school-age learners to develop digital literacy skills to engage critically and responsibly with AI-based tools. Equally important is the role of (language) teachers, who must possess the skills necessary to guide students in navigating and leveraging this technology effectively. This exploratory study investigates the extent of EFL teachers’ knowledge and their attitudes toward using AI tools for language learning. Focusing on primary and secondary school EFL teachers in Croatia, the study aims to shed light on their perspectives on and preparedness for integration of AI into the language classroom, addressing a critical aspect of modern education and contributing to a deeper understanding of what educators need to successfully incorporate AI into their teaching.Uporaba umetne inteligence (UI) pri učenju jezikov je močno narasla z razmahom generativnih orodij UI, kot je ChatGPT. Raziskave poudarjajo potrebo po digitalni pismenosti učencev in učenk za kritično in odgovorno uporabo orodij UI. Prav tako je pri tem ključna vloga učiteljev in učiteljic (jezikov), ki morajo imeti ustrezna znanja za učinkovito usmerjanje učečih se pri uporabi te tehnologije. Ta študija ugotavlja raven znanja in stališča učiteljev in učiteljic angleščine kot tujega jezika (EFL) do uporabe orodij UI pri jezikovnem pouku. Raziskava osvetljuje stališča in pripravljenost učiteljev in učiteljic osnovnih in srednjih šol na Hrvaškem za vključevanje UI v jezikovni pouk ter prispeva k razumevanju njihovih potreb za uspešno integracijo UI v učni proces