Response of the species of Karst Dace (Telestes karsticus Marčić and Mrakovčić, 2011) to the predator of the brown trout (Salmo trutta Linnaeus, 1758)

U ovome su radu prvi puta zabilježeni podaci o ponašanju kapelske svijetlice u odnosu na izloženost predatoru potočnoj pastrvi. Istraživanje se temelji na dvije vrste ponašanja, tijekom perioda bez prisutnosti predatora te u periodu za vrijeme prisutnosti predatora. Tijekom perioda bez prisustva predatora kod svih promatranih jedinki zabilježena je smanjena kohezija plova. Povećana kohezija plova zabilježena tijekom prisustva predatora. Zabilježena je povećana udaljenost plova od pregrade u akvariju nakon uvođenja predatora kod svih promatranih jedinki. Udaljenosti plova od dna akvarija prije podražaja iznosila je do 25 cm, dok je tijekom podražaja do 3 cm. Tijekom perioda bez prisustva predatora jedinke su bile različito vizualne usmjerene dok prilikom mjerenja podražaja sve promatrane jedinke vizualno su bile usmjerene prema predatoru. Zabilježeno je isto ponašanje kod svih promatranih jedinki različitih skupina.In this study, data on the behavioural response of juvenile individuals of the karstic dace (Telestes karsticus) the exposure of the predator to the trout (Salmo trutta) were recorded. The research is based on two types of behaviour, during the period without the presence of predators, and in the period during the presence of predators. During the period without the presence of predators, reduced cohesion of the units was observed in all observed individuals, while increased cohesion of the units during the exposure to predators. An increased distance of the units from the barrier in the aquarium was observed after the introduction of predators. The distance from the bottom of the aquarium before the stimulus was up to 25 cm, during the stimulus up to 3 cm. In the period before exposure to the predator, the individuals were differently visual focused, whereas when measuring the stimuli, all observed individuals were visually directed toward the predator. The same behaviour was observed in all observed groups

Organska zagađivala u komunalnim otpadnim vodama Republike Hrvatske

Municipal wastewaters are among the most important sources of waste materials released into the environment. In Croatia, this problem is especially pronounced since only 4.4 % of the total wastewaters are subject to complete mechanical and biological treatment. Beside a limited number of regulated organic contaminants, wastewaters contain an extremely high number of different potentially harmful organic compounds. Comprehensive analyses of Croatian wastewaters using mass spectrometric techniques (GC/ MS, LC/MS) indicated the presence of a large number of different organic compounds with a predominance of two main groups of contaminants: petroleum hydrocarbons and detergent-derived surfactants. Recent investigations of specific organic contaminants in wastewater focused on the determination of so-called emerging contaminants, whose ecotoxicological relevance is based on new types of biological effects and for which water quality criteria have not yet been defined. The main goal of this paper is to make an overview of the present knowledge on the occurrence of different types of organic contaminants in Croatian municipal wastewaters, paying special attention to the emerging contaminants.Komunalne otpadne vode jedan su od najvažnijih oblika unošenja otpadnih tvari u okoliš. U Republici Hrvatskoj taj je problem posebno izražen jer se od ukupne količine otpadnih voda obrađuje samo 12 %, od čega samo 37 % prolazi cjeloviti postupak mehaničkog i biološkog pročišćavanja. Redovito praćenje organskog opterećenja, koje se putem otpadnih voda unosi u prirodne vode, obuhvaća samo manji broj skupnih pokazatelja, kao što su kemijska potrošnja kisika (KPK), biološka potrošnja kisika (BPK), ukupni organski ugljik (TOC) te ukupna i mineralna ulja, hlapljivi fenoli i ukupni tenzidi. Zakonom su propisane i maksimalno dopuštene vrijednosti manjeg broj spojeva iz skupine prioritetnih zagađivala (npr. halogenirani ugljikovodici, ukupni aromatski ugljikovodici), dok su broj i raznovrsnost različitih organskih spojeva u otpadnoj vodi izuzetno veliki. Sveobuhvatne pretrage hrvatskih komunalnih voda masenospektroskopskim tehnikama upozorile su na prisutnost velikog broja specifičnih organskih zagađivala, od kojih su najzastupljeniji naftni ugljikovodici te različiti organski sastojci podrijetlom iz detergenata i sredstava za čišćenje. U novije se vrijeme sve više ističe važnost istraživanja novih tipova zagađivala, čije unošenje u okoliš nije zakonom regulirano, a njihovo štetno djelovanje na okoliš počiva na biološkim mehanizmima koji su tek odnedavno objavljeni u znanstvenoj literaturi. Vrlo istaknuti predstavnici takvog tipa zagađivala su antropogeni spojevi s endokrinim djelovanjem i farmaceutski spojevi. U ovom je radu načinjen pregled postojećeg znanja o pojavljivanju različitih organskih zagađivala u otpadnim vodama hrvatskih gradova, s posebnim naglaskom na rezultate dobivene visokospecifičnim tehnikama

Visualization of poly(ADP-ribose) bound to PARG reveals inherent balance between exo- and endo-glycohydrolase activities

Poly-ADP-ribosylation is a post-translational modification that regulates processes involved in genome stability. Breakdown of the poly(ADP-ribose) (PAR) polymer is catalysed by poly(ADP-ribose) glycohydrolase (PARG), whose endo-glycohydrolase activity generates PAR fragments. Here we present the crystal structure of PARG incorporating the PAR substrate. The two terminal ADP-ribose units of the polymeric substrate are bound in exo-mode. Biochemical and modelling studies reveal that PARG acts predominantly as an exo-glycohydrolase. This preference is linked to Phe902 (human numbering), which is responsible for low-affinity binding of the substrate in endo-mode. Our data reveal the mechanism of poly-ADP-ribosylation reversal, with ADP-ribose as the dominant product, and suggest that the release of apoptotic PAR fragments occurs at unusual PAR/PARG ratios

Transrectal Sonography in Prostate Cancer Detection – Our 25 Years Experience of Implementation

Prostate cancer is a leading public health problem of male population in developed countries. Gold standard for prostate cancer diagnosis is true cut biopsy guided by transrectal ultrasound1–5. Aim of this study was to determine sensitivity, specificity, accuracy, positive and negative predictive value of transrectal sonography (TRUS) in prostate cancer detection. The analysis was made for two time periods, before and after routine implementation of prostate specific antigen (PSA) in prostate cancer diagnostics. From 1984 to 1993 TRUS guided prostate biopsy was performed in 564, and from 1994 to 2008 in 5678 patients. In the second period PSA was routinely used in prostate cancer diagnostics. In the first period by TRUS we have made an exact diagnosis of prostate cancer in 18.97% of patients what was confirmed by biopsy. 4.61% ware false positive and 11.34% ware false negative. In the second period prostate cancer was recognized in 30.34% of patients, confirmed by biopsy. False positive cases ware 6.11% and false negative 29.31%. Sensitivity of transrectal sonography in the first period was 62.57%, specificity 94.2%, accuracy 86.2%, positive predictive value 80.45% and negative predictive value 87.72%. In the second period sensitivity was 50.87%, specificity 91.93%, accuracy 73.84%, positive predictive value 83.24% and negative predictive value 70.39%. Based on our experience we can conclude that prostate cancer is mostly found in the peripheral zone. Smaller tumors are hipoechoic and bigger tumors are hiperechoic. Prostate cancer lesions are impossible to differentiate from chronic prostatitis only by TRUS. Implementation of PSA has significantly decrease sensitivity, accuracy and negative predictive value of TRUS in prostate cancer detection. TRUS guided true cut biopsy is a gold standard in prostate cancer diagnostics

Application of Wound Closure Molndal Technique after Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy – Initial Comparative Study

Because of a possible delayed wound healing, critical colonization and infection of wounds present a problem for surgeons1–3. Colonized and infected wounds are a potential source for cross-infection1–3. Molndal technique of wound dressing has proven to be effective in prevention of infection. Also the wound heal better and faster3–5. In our study we wanted to describe the benefits of the Molndal technique wound dressing after laparoscopic cholecistectomy compared to traditional wound dressing technique. Molndal technique consisted of wound dressing with Aquacel Ag – Hydrofiber (ConvaTec, Dublin, Ireland). Traditional technique was performed using gauze compresses and hypoallergic adhesives. We analyzed the results of 100 patients after laparoscopic cholecystectomy. 50 patients were treated by Molndal technique and 50 patients by the traditional technique of wound dressing. In the group trated by Molndal technique only 1 (2%) patient has revealed a wound infection, proven by positive microbiological examination and suppuration, mostly in the subumbilical incision. In the traditional technique group 7 (14%) patients developed wound infection also predominantly in the subumbilical incision. The difference was statistically significant (p<0.01). Our results are clearly showing that Molndal technique is effective in preventing the infection of subumbilical incision wound and is to by recommend for regular use at designated site after laparoscopic cholecistectomy

Fate and occurrence of alkylphenolic compounds in sewage sludges determined by liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry

This is the author's accepted manuscript. The final published article is available from the link below. Copyright @ 2009 Taylor & Francis.An analytical method has been developed and applied to determine the concentrations of the nonionic alkylphenol polyethoxylate surfactants and their metabolites, alkylphenoxy carboxylates and alkyphenols, in sewage sludges. The compounds were extracted with methanol/acetone (1:1 v/v) from sludge, and concentrated extracts were cleaned by silica solid‐phase extraction prior to determination by liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry. The recoveries, determined by spiking sewage sludge at two concentrations, ranged from 51% to 89% with method detection limits from 6 µg kg−1 to 60 µg kg−1. The methodology was subsequently applied to sludge samples obtained from a carbonaceous activated sludge plant, a nitrifying/denitrifying activated sludge plant and a nitrifying/denitrifying activated sludge plant with phosphorus removal. Concentrations of nonylphenolic compounds were two to three times higher than their octyl analogues. Long‐chain nonylphenol polyethoxylates (NP3–12EO) ranged from 16 µg kg−1 to 11754 µg kg−1. The estrogenic metabolite nonylphenol was present at concentrations ranging from 33 µg kg−1 to 6696 µg kg−1.Public Utilities Board of Singapore, Thames Water and Yorkshire Water

Chemical Composition and Physical Properties of “Pale Yellow” Naphtalan

The Pale Yellow (PY) Naphthalan is potentially a new treatment modality for some oral mucosal and dermatological diseases. Its chemical composition and physical properties were studied by standard and sophisticated methods. Special attention was paid to steranes and hopanes as favorable components and to aromatics as unfavorable compounds. PY Naphthalan is predominantly composed of saturated aliphatic hydrocarbons of different structures, and of hydrocarbons comprising aromatic ring(s) (< 15%). Among aromatics, 98% were monoaromatics and 2% diaromatics, while 16 polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons designated by US Environmental Protection Agency as priority pollutants were found at minimum detectability levels. Steranes and hopanes appeared in native geogenic clusters of homologs and each of identified compounds was in native geogenic configuration. Steranes were in the range from norcholestanes up to propyl cholestanes and hopanes up to pentakishomohopanes. The content of steranes and hopanes was relatively high. Compared to the other naphthalan products, the composition of PY Naphthalan is remarkably improved. Physical properties make PY Naphthalan convenient for application. (doi: 10.5562/cca1886

Family-wide analysis of poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase activity

The poly(adenosine diphosphate (ADP)-ribose) polymerase (PARP) protein family generates ​ADP-ribose (​ADPr) modifications onto target proteins using ​NAD[superscript +] as substrate. Based on the composition of three ​NAD[superscript +] coordinating amino acids, the H-Y-E motif, each PARP is predicted to generate either poly(ADPr) (PAR) or mono(ADPr) (MAR). However, the reaction product of each PARP has not been clearly defined, and is an important priority since PAR and MAR function via distinct mechanisms. Here we show that the majority of PARPs generate MAR, not PAR, and demonstrate that the H-Y-E motif is not the sole indicator of PARP activity. We identify automodification sites on seven PARPs, and demonstrate that MAR and PAR generating PARPs modify similar amino acids, suggesting that the sequence and structural constraints limiting PARPs to MAR synthesis do not limit their ability to modify canonical amino-acid targets. In addition, we identify ​cysteine as a novel amino-acid target for ADP-ribosylation on PARPs.Rita Allen FoundationSidney Kimmel FoundationNational Cancer Institute (U.S.) (Cancer Center Support (Core) Grant P30-CA14051)National Institutes of Health (U.S.) (Grant RO1GM087465)Kathy and Curt Marble Cancer Research FundWellcome Trust (London, England)European Research Counci

Occurrence and Fate of Emerging Wastewater Contaminants in Western Balkan Region

This paper reports on a comprehensive reconnaissance of over seventy individual wastewater contaminants in the region of Western Balkan (WB ; Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia and Serbia), including some prominent classes of emerging contaminants such as pharmaceuticals and personal care products, surfactants and their degradation products, plasticizers, pesticides, insect repellents, and flame retardants. All determinations were carried out using a multiresidue analytical approach, based on the application of gas chromatographic and liquid chromatographic techniques coupled to mass spectrometric detection. The results confirmed a widespread occurrence of the emerging contaminants in municipal wastewaters of the region. The most prominent contaminant classes, determined in municipal wastewaters, were those derived from aromatic surfactants, including linear alkylbenzene sulphonates (LAS) and alkylphenol polyethoxylates (APEO), with the concentrations in raw wastewater reaching into the mg/l range. All other contaminants were present in much lower concentrations, rarely exceeding few μ g/l. The most abundant individual compounds belonged to several classes of pharmaceuticals (antimicrobials, analgesics and antiinflammatories, b-blockers and lipid regulators) and personal care products (fragrances). Due to the rather poor wastewater management practices in WB countries, with less than 5 % of all wastewaters being biologically treated, most of the contaminants present in wastewaters reach ambient waters and may represent a significant environmental concer