Nitrogen Recovery from Clear‑Cut Forest Runoff Using Biochar: Adsorption–Desorption Dynamics Affected by Water Nitrogen Concentration

Forest regeneration operations increase the concentration of nitrogen (N) in watercourses especially outside the growing season when traditional biological water protection methods are inefficient. Biochar adsorption-based water treatment could be a solution for nutrient retention. We studied the total nitrogen (TN) and nitrate-nitrogen (NO3--N) adsorption-desorption properties of spruce and birch biochar. The adsorption test was performed under four different initial concentrations of TN (1, 2, 3, and 4 mg L-1) using forest runoff water collected from ditch drains of boreal harvested peatland. The results showed that the TN adsorption amount increased linearly from the lowest to the highest concentration. The maximum adsorption capacity was 2.4 and 3.2 times greater in the highest concentration (4 mg L-1) compared to the lowest concentration (1 mg L-1) in spruce and birch biochar, respectively. The NO3--N adsorption amount of birch biochar increased linearly from 0 to 0.15 mg NO3--N g biochar(-1) when the initial concentration of NO3--N increased from 0.2 to 1.4 mg L-1. However, in spruce biochar, the initial concentration did not affect NO3--N adsorption amount. The results indicate that concentration significantly affects the biochar's capacity to adsorb N from water. The desorption test was performed by adding biochar extracted from the adsorption test into the forest runoff water with low TN concentration (0.2 or 0.35 mg L-1). The desorption results showed that desorption was negligibly small, and it was dependent on the TN concentration for birch biochar. Therefore, biochar can be a complementary method supporting water purification in peatland areas.Peer reviewe

L-amino acid oxidase from snake venom: Biotransformation and induction of apoptosis in human colon cancer cells

This study evaluated the potential of antitumor activity of snake venom from Vipera ammodytes and L-amino acid oxidase from Crotalus adamanteus on different colorectal cancer cell lines through determination of cytotoxic activity by MTT assay, pro-apoptotic activity by acridine orange/ethidium bromide staining, and concentrations of redox status parameters (superoxide, reduced glutathione, lipid peroxidation) by colorimetric methods. The expression of genes involved in the biotransformation process and metabolite efflux was determined by qPCR method, while protein expression of glutathione synthetase and P-glycoprotein were analysed by immunocytochemistry. The analysis of cell death shows that snake venom dominantly leads cells to necrosis. Induction of apoptosis by L-amino acid oxidase was in correlation with oxidative disbalance in cancer cells. Gene expression profile of membrane transporters and CYP genes were different in each cell line and in correlation with their sensitivity of treatment. Our results show that L-amino acid oxidase from snake venom is a potent cytotoxic substance with pronounced pro-apoptotic activity. The inhibition of P-glycoprotein suggests that L-amino acid oxidase is a good substance for furter research of antitumor effect, with unexpressed potential for occurrence of drug resistance in vitro

Alteration of oxidative stress parameters in red blood cells of rats after chronic in Vivo treatment with cisplatin and selenium

In this study we evaluated the possible protective effects of selenium (Se) on hematological and oxidative stress parameters in rats chronically treated with cisplatin (cisPt). Four groups of Wistar albino rats were examined: a control, untreated rats (I), rats treated with Se (II), rats treated with cisPt (III), and rats treated with Se and cisPt (IV). All animals were treated for 5 days successively and killed 24 h after the last treatment. Hematological and oxidative stress parameters were followed in whole blood and red blood cells (RBC). Results showed that the chronic application of Se was followed by a higher number of reticulocytes and platelets, increased lipid peroxidation and GSH content in the RBC. Cisplatin treatment induced depletion of RBC and platelet numbers and an elevation of the superoxide anion, nitrites and glutathione levels. Se and cisPt co-treatment was followed by an elevation of the hematological parameters and the recovery of the glutathione status when compared to the control and cisPt-treated rats

Potential of Melittin to induce apoptosis and overcome multidrug resistance in human colon cancer cell line

In this study, the anticancer effect of Melittin was demonstrated through its antiproliferative and proapoptotic effects on HT-29 cells, as well as its ability to reverse multidrug resistance. Melittin directly affects the death receptor-dependent apoptotic pathway via increase of the Fas receptor protein expression, Caspase 8 gene expression and activity of Caspase 8. Results of decreased Caspase 9 gene and protein expression, and multi-fold increased expression of Bcl-2 gene suggest that mitochondria and the inner apoptotic pathway are not involved in the execution of Melittin induced apoptosis, as well as redox regulation of apoptosis based on decreased concentration of superoxide anion radicals and no effect glutathione levels. Specially significance of this work are results on ability of Melittin to modulate the metabolism and export system in cancer cells. Based on the increased expression of all the investigated genes related to the biotransformation process, it can be assumed that CYP1A1, CYP1B1, GSTP1 and MRP2 are involved in metabolism of Melittin in HT-29 cells. P-glycoprotein is associated with the occurrence of resistance in anticancer therapy, so its reduced gene and protein expression by Melittin represents significant result in terms of possible therapeutic application and examination.Publishe

Tobacco and alcohol as factors for male infertility-a public health approach.

BACKGROUND: The study of reproductive characteristics of 430 male subjects of different age, fertility status and educational level who were involved in the program of extracorporeal fertilization at the Clinic of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Clinical Centre Niš, examined their knowledge, attitudes and behavior regarding tobacco and alcohol consumption as lifestyle risk predictors of their partial or full infertility. METHODOLOGY: Consisted of the analyses of spermiograms to establish their fertility status and a survey of their attitudes towards smoking and alcohol use (behavior, knowledge of the general health and reproductive health consequences of such a lifestyle, and their determination to change it). RESULTS: The proportion with higher tobacco consumption and more severe forms of infertility increased significantly with ageing (P < 0.001); the highest daily consumption of alcohol and the incidence of intoxication was seen among azoospermic patients; the level of awareness of the harmful effects of tobacco was highest among normozoospermic subjects and the highest level of determination to quit smoking was statistically significantly present among azoospermic subjects. CONCLUSION: Appropriate use of health promotion activities in relation to alcohol and tobacco use is through specially designed programs

The concentration of matrix metalloproteinase 9 in the tumor and peritumoral tissue as a prognostic marker in the breast cancer patients

© 2019, Inst. Sci. inf., Univ. Defence in Belgrade. All rights reserved. Background/Aim. Breast cancer is one of the most common malignancies among women all over the world. Tumor microenvironment represents one of the main regulators of tumorigenesis. We investigated the role of matrix metalloproteinases 9 (MMP-9) concentration in peritumoral tissue as a prognostic marker in the breast cancer patients. Methods. The ELISA test was used to determine a total MMP-9 concentration in carcinoma and peritumoral tissue sample in the patients with breast cancer. Comparison of MMP-9 protein expression with the clinicopathological parameters was evaluated. Results. Peritumoral tissue at 3 cm distance from the tumor produces more MMP-9 than the tumor itself. The ratio of concentrations of MMP-9 in the tumor and peritumoral tissue considerably changes in favor of peritumoral tissue with the increase of tumor size and the involvement of axillary lymph nodes. In N0 stage, the concentration ratio of MMP-9 in the tumor and peritumoral tissues was 1: 1.44, but in the N2 stage, the ratio was 1: 26.5. Conclusion. In patients with breast cancer even in an early stadium there is a change in MMP-9 concentration in peritumoral tissue. We can extract the group of patients at increased risk for the development of lymph node metastasis. A statistically significant difference between the concentrations of MMP-9 in the peritumoral tissue and cancer tissue exists only in case of metastatic disease not in MO stadium implying need for early detection of still unknown metastases in such patients

Evaluation of the role of stress in patients with breast cancer and depression by paykel's life event and adaptive neuro-fuzzy approach

Introduction The aim of this study was to identify and analyze the stress factors and the level of stress a year preceding the onset of breast cancer and depression in the studied female patients. Methods The research in this work was mostly prospectively (clinical and analytical). During the research, Scale of Life Events‐Paykel was applied. Stressful life events differed significantly between the groups. In the studied group, the following events were significantly more prevalent: partner infidelity (χ2 = 12.663; p < .001), failure at work (χ2 = 44.429; p < .001), and spontaneous abortions or stillbirths (χ2 = 13.818; p < .001). Results According to the results of this study, stressful life events differed significantly between the observed groups. These stressful life events had a significant impact on the increase of risk for breast cancer, as well as on depressivity. Afterward, adaptive neuro‐fuzzy inference system was used for prediction of the Paykel's Life Event according to Fisher's exact test. Conclusion The obtained results could be of practical usage for improving stress behavior of the patients with breast cancer and depression.ISSN:2162-327

Potential of Orlistat to induce apoptotic and antiangiogenic effects as well as inhibition of fatty acid synthesis in breast cancer cells

Breast cancer as most often women's cancer is the second cause of mortality worldwide. Research interest increased in testing non-standard drugs to suppress breast cancer progression and become significant supplements in anticancer therapy. The anti-obesity drug Orlistat showed significant ability for modulation of cancer cell metabolism via antiproliferative, proapoptotic, antiangiogenic, antimetastatic, and hypolipidemic effects. The anticancer potential of Orlistat was evaluated by cytotoxicity (MTT assay), type of cell death (AO/EB double staining), determination of redox status parameters (superoxide, hydrogen peroxide, lipid peroxidation, reduced glutathione), and total lipid levels with colorimetric methods, as well on angiogenesis-related (VEGF, MMP-9, CXCR4/CXCL12) and fatty acid synthesis-related (ACLY, ACC, FASN) parameters on gene and protein levels (immunocytochemistry and qPCR). Based on obtained results Orlistat induces significant cytotoxic, proapoptotic, and anti-angiogenic effects in MDA-MB-231, MDA-MB-468 and MCF-7 breast cancer cells, without significant cytotoxic effects on normal MRC-5 cells. It decreased total lipid levels and changed redox status parameters and cancer cell metabolism via suppression of genes and proteins involved and fatty acid synthesis. Based on showed, Orlistat may be an important supplement in antiangiogenic therapy against breast cancer with no side effects on normal cells, making it a good candidate for future clinical trials

Matrix Metalloproteinase-9 Level in Synovial Fluid—Association with Joint Destruction in Early Rheumatoid Arthritis

Background and objective: Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) are the key enzymes in the pathogenesis of cartilage and joint damage and potentially a new biomarker of the early erosive form of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Firstly, the study aimed to compare the level of MMP-9 in plasma (PL) and synovial fluid (SF) of patients with RA and osteoarthritis (OA). Secondly, the goal was to examine the association of MMP-9 level in PL and SF with early erosive changes in RA, and finally, to determine the association of MMP-9 level with serological parameters of the disease (rheumatoid factor-RF and anti-citrulline protein antibodies-ACPA). Materials and Methods: A total of 156 subjects were involved in this study (84 patients with RA and 72 patients with OA, who were involved as a control group). MMP-9 level was measured in PL and SF of all subjects by the sandwich enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) method. Standard radiographs of the hands and feet were used to detect joint damage and classification into erosive or non-erosive RA. The Larsen score (LS) was used for the quantitative assessment of joint damage, and its annual change (∆ LS) was used to assess the radiographic progression of the disease. Results: MMP-9 level in PL and SF was significantly higher in RA compared to controls (PL: 19.26 ± 7.54 vs. 14.57 ± 3.11 ng/mL, pp p p Conclusion: The level of MMP-9 in plasma and synovial fluid of patients with RA is significantly higher compared to patients with osteoarthritis. The level of MMP-9 in synovial fluid is significantly higher in erosive than non-erosive early RA. It is significantly associated with the radiographic progression of the disease and the level of anti-citrulline protein antibodies