Acute leukemia of childhood: A single institution's experience

The aim of this study was to investigate distribution of immunophenotypic and cytogenetic features of childhood acute leukemia (AL) in the cohort of 239 newly diagnosed patients registered at the leading pediatric oncohematology center in the country during a six-year period (1996-2002). With approximately 60-70% of all childhood AL cases in Serbia and Montenegro being diagnosed and treated in this institution the used data represent a valid research sample to draw conclusions for entire country. On the basis of five phenotypic markers, the distribution of immunological subtypes was as follows: 169 (70.7%) expressed B-cell marker CD19 (137 were CD10 positive and 32 CD10 negative), 37 (15.5%) belonged to T-lineage acute lymphoblastic leukemia (T-ALL) (cyCD3 positive), and 33 (13.8%) were acute myeloblastic leukemia (AML) (CD13 positive and/or CD33 positive in the absence of lymphoid-associated antigens). The ratio of males and females was 1.5:1. Most of the cases were between the ages of 2 and 4, and were predominantly B-lineage acute lymphoblastic leukemia (B-ALL) cases. Another peak of age distribution was observed at the age of 7. The frequency of T-ALL (18% of ALL) was similar to that reported for Mediterranean countries: France (19.4%), Greece (28.1%), Southern Italy (28.3%), and Bulgaria (28.0%). Cytogenetic analyses were performed in 193 patients: 164 ALL and 29 AML. Normal karyotype was found in 57% of ALL and in 55% of AML patients, while cytogenetic abnormalities including structural, numerical, and complex chromosomal rearrangements were found in 43% of ALL and in 45% of AML patients. Our results represent a contribution to epidemiological aspects of childhood leukemia studies

High annual radon concentration in dwellings and natural radioactivity content in nearby soil in some rural areas of Kosovo and Metohija

Some previous studies on radon concentration in dwellings of some areas of Kosovo and Metohija have revealed a high average radon concentration, even though the detectors were exposed for three months only. In order to better design a larger study in this region, the annual measurements in 25 houses were carried out as a pilot study. For each house, CR-39-based passive devices were exposed in two rooms for the two consecutive six-month periods to account for seasonal variations of radon concentration. Furthermore, in order to correlate the indoor radon with radium in nearby soil and to improve the knowledge of the natural radioactivity in the region, soil samples near each house were collected and 226Ra, 232Th, 40K activity concentration were measured. The indoor radon concentration resulted quite high from the average (163 Bq/m3) and generally it did not differ considerably between the two rooms and the two six-month periods. The natural radionuclides in soil resulted to be distributed quite uniformly. Moreover, the correlation between the226Ra content in soil and radon concentration in dwellings resulted to be low (R2=0.26). The annual effective dose from radon and its short-lived progeny (5.5 mSv, in average) was calculated by using the last ICRP dose conversion factors. In comparison, the contribution to the annual effective dose of outdoor gamma exposure from natural radionuclides in soil is nearly negligible (66 mSv). In conclusion, the observed high radon levels are only partially correlated with radium in soil; moreover, a good estimate of the annual average of radon concentration can be obtained from a six-month measurement with a proper choice of exposure period, which could be useful when designing large surveys

Rasprostranjenje vrsta roda Lathyrus L. 1753 (Fabales, Fabaceae) u Vojvodini

Most of the Lathyrus species of the Vojvodina Province arc cultivated for fodder. They are protein-containing herbs which easily recover after grazing. Some perennial species survive in grassland communities for ten years or more. Certain species are important melliferous plants. In the Vojvodina Province, they inhabit different habitats like forests and grasslands, dry and wet sites, thus showing a wide distribution range. Besides their floristic and vegetation aspects, their role as green and dry fodder crops should be emphasized.U radu je dato rasprostranjenje vrste roda Lathyrus u Vojvodini, na UTM kartama sa UTM kodovima i konkretnim lokalitetima. Podaci potiču iz literature koja obuhvata vremenski period od oko 140 godina, Herbarijuma Departmana za biologiju i ekologiju (BUNS) i sopstvenih terenskih istraživanja. Daje se njihov florni element, odnosno areal rasprostranjenja tipovi zemljišta i staništa na kojima rastu, njihov privredni značaj i broj hromozoma. S obzirom da su divlji graškovi značajne krmne biljke, mogle bi biti uključene u gajene ili korišćene u selekciji i oplemenjivanju. U flori Vojvodine raste 16 vrsta roda Lathyrus od kojih 11 njih ima privredni značaj a još dve bi mogle biti koršićene kao krma. U toku je njihovo anatomsko ispitivanje, što će ukazati na nivo ekološke adaptacije i upotrebljivosti u ishrani stoke. Takođe je u toku fiziološka analiza vrsta, analiza makroelemenata, koncentracija pigmenata i intenzitet disanja i fotosinteze od čega zavisi produkcija organske biljne mase

Development of SARS-CoV-2 N-protein specific capture ELISA

Ta na dijagnoza ljudi sa sumnjom na infekciju SARS-CoV-2 je od suštinskog zna aja zasuzbijanje globalnog širenja COVID-19. Prisustvo SARS-CoV-2 može se otkriti RT-PCRom (otkriva RNK virusa) ili detekcijom prisustva virusnih antigena u biološkim te nostimaELISA-om ili sli nom tehnikom koje koriste antitela razvijena u životinjama. Cilj studijeje bio uspostavljanje kvantitativnog testa koji se zasniva na koriš enju poliklonskih serumaza rutinsko odre ivanje koncentracije SARS-CoV-2 nukleokapsidnog proteina merenjamapsorbancije u standardnoj mikrotitarskoj plo ici sa 96 bunara. Za potrebe razvoja testaproizveden je rekombinantni N-protein i koriš en za proizvodnju antiseruma u miševima ize evima. Proizvedeni antiserumi su pre iš eni i odre en im je titar. Poliklonskiantiserumivisokog afiniteta specifi ni za N-protein koriš eni su za razvoj ELISA testa specifi nog zaovaj protein. Test se zasniva na koriš enju poliklonskih seruma miševa koji su adheriranina dno bunara mikrotitarske plo ice za hvatanje N-proteina iz uzorka. Razli itekoncentracije rekombinantnog N-proteina su koriš ene za standardnu krivu zakvantifikaciju proteina. N-protein vezan za antitela miševa je detektovan ze jimpoliklonskim serumom i anti-ze jim antitelom povezanim sa enzimom koji obezbe ujespektrofotometrijsko merenje. Uspešno smo razvili prototip ELISA testa za kvantifikacijuN-proteina sa granicom detekcije u opsegu od ng/mL. Prose na vrednost LOD za prototipELISA testa za detekciju N-proteina je 9,2 ng/mL, dok je prose na vrednost LOQ10,2 ng/mL. Pokazali smo da su proizvedeni poliklonski antiserumi pogodni za detekcijuN-proteina sa sli nim ili boljim afinitetom i specifi noš u od komercijalnih antitela.Štaviše, prototip ELISA testa se može koristiti sa zadovoljavaju om pouzdanoš u zakvantifikaciju N-proteina u uzorcima bogatim proteinima, poput ljudskih seruma.The accurate diagnosis of people with suspected infection with the SARS-CoV-2 isessential to curb the global spread of COVID-19. The presence of SARS-CoV-2 can bedetected by RT-PCR (it detects RNA of the virus) or by the presence of viral antigens inbiological fluids in ELISA or similar techniques using antibodies developed in animals.The aim of the study was the establishment of a quantitative polyclonal sera-based test forroutine measurement of the concentration of SARS CoV-2 nucleocapsid protein usingabsorbance measurement in a standard 96-well microtiter plate. For the purposes of the testdevelopment, recombinant N protein was produced and used for the production of miceand rabbit antisera. Produced antisera were purified and titer was determined. High-affinitypolyclonal N-protein specific antisera were used for N-protein specific ELISA testdevelopment. The test is based on mice polyclonal sera adhered to microtiter plate bottomfor the capture of the N protein from the specimen. Various concentrations of therecombinant N-protein were used to generate a standard curve for protein quantification.The N-protein bound to the mice antibodies was detected with rabbit polyclonal sera andanti-rabbit antibody coupled to an enzyme that provides spectrophotometric measurement.We have successfully developed the prototype ELISA for the quantification of N-proteinwith the detection limit being in the range of ng/mL. The average LOD value for theprototype ELISA was determined to be 9.2 ng/mL, while the average LOQ value was10.2 ng/mL. We have demonstrated that produced polyclonal antisera are suitable for thedetection of N-protein with affinity and specificity similar to, or better than commercialantibodies. Furthermore, the prototype ELISA can be used with satisfactory confidence forquantification of the N-protein in protein-rich samples, similar to human sera.Abstract: [https://cherry.chem.bg.ac.rs/handle/123456789/5361

Development of SARS-CoV-2 N-protein specific capture ELISA

Ta na dijagnoza ljudi sa sumnjom na infekciju SARS-CoV-2 je od suštinskog zna aja za suzbijanje globalnog širenja COVID-19. Prisustvo SARS-CoV-2 može se otkriti RT-PCRom (otkriva RNK virusa) ili detekcijom prisustva virusnih antigena u biološkim te nostima ELISA-om ili sli nom tehnikom koje koriste antitela razvijena u životinjama. Cilj studije je bio uspostavljanje kvantitativnog testa koji se zasniva na koriš enju poliklonskih seruma za rutinsko odre ivanje koncentracije SARS-CoV-2 nukleokapsidnog proteina merenjam apsorbancije u standardnoj mikrotitarskoj plo ici sa 96 bunara. Za potrebe razvoja testa proizveden je rekombinantni N-protein i koriš en za proizvodnju antiseruma u miševima i ze evima. Proizvedeni antiserumi su pre iš eni i odre en im je titar. Poliklonskiantiserumi visokog afiniteta specifi ni za N-protein koriš eni su za razvoj ELISA testa specifi nog za ovaj protein. Test se zasniva na koriš enju poliklonskih seruma miševa koji su adherirani na dno bunara mikrotitarske plo ice za hvatanje N-proteina iz uzorka. Razli ite koncentracije rekombinantnog N-proteina su koriš ene za standardnu krivu za kvantifikaciju proteina. N-protein vezan za antitela miševa je detektovan ze jim poliklonskim serumom i anti-ze jim antitelom povezanim sa enzimom koji obezbe uje spektrofotometrijsko merenje. Uspešno smo razvili prototip ELISA testa za kvantifikaciju N-proteina sa granicom detekcije u opsegu od ng/mL. Prose na vrednost LOD za prototip ELISA testa za detekciju N-proteina je 9,2 ng/mL, dok je prose na vrednost LOQ 10,2 ng/mL. Pokazali smo da su proizvedeni poliklonski antiserumi pogodni za detekciju N-proteina sa sli nim ili boljim afinitetom i specifi noš u od komercijalnih antitela. Štaviše, prototip ELISA testa se može koristiti sa zadovoljavaju om pouzdanoš u za kvantifikaciju N-proteina u uzorcima bogatim proteinima, poput ljudskih seruma.The accurate diagnosis of people with suspected infection with the SARS-CoV-2 is essential to curb the global spread of COVID-19. The presence of SARS-CoV-2 can be detected by RT-PCR (it detects RNA of the virus) or by the presence of viral antigens in biological fluids in ELISA or similar techniques using antibodies developed in animals. The aim of the study was the establishment of a quantitative polyclonal sera-based test for routine measurement of the concentration of SARS CoV-2 nucleocapsid protein using absorbance measurement in a standard 96-well microtiter plate. For the purposes of the test development, recombinant N protein was produced and used for the production of mice and rabbit antisera. Produced antisera were purified and titer was determined. High-affinity polyclonal N-protein specific antisera were used for N-protein specific ELISA test development. The test is based on mice polyclonal sera adhered to microtiter plate bottom for the capture of the N protein from the specimen. Various concentrations of the recombinant N-protein were used to generate a standard curve for protein quantification. The N-protein bound to the mice antibodies was detected with rabbit polyclonal sera and anti-rabbit antibody coupled to an enzyme that provides spectrophotometric measurement. We have successfully developed the prototype ELISA for the quantification of N-protein with the detection limit being in the range of ng/mL. The average LOD value for the prototype ELISA was determined to be 9.2 ng/mL, while the average LOQ value was 10.2 ng/mL. We have demonstrated that produced polyclonal antisera are suitable for the detection of N-protein with affinity and specificity similar to, or better than commercial antibodies. Furthermore, the prototype ELISA can be used with satisfactory confidence for quantification of the N-protein in protein-rich samples, similar to human sera.Poster: [https://cherry.chem.bg.ac.rs/handle/123456789/5362

Heavy metals accumulation in tree leaves from urban areas

Higher plants may be used as biomonitors for the assessment of atmospheric heavy metal pollution by means of their bioaccumulative properties. We evaluated the reliability of biomonitoring heavy metal pollution by horse chestnut and linden leaves, common species found in Belgrade city parks. The results show that the highest concentrations of heavy metals were found in horse chestnut leaves at Studentski Park site, amounting to 110.2, 20.3 and 4.9 μg g-1 dry weight for Cu, Pb and Cd, respectively, which are considered above toxic levels for plants

Transfer factors of natural radionuclides and Cs-137 from soil to plants used in traditional medicine in central Serbia

Transfer factors of natural radionuclides and (CS)-C-137 from soil to plants used in traditional medicine were determined. The transfer factors (TF) were calculated as Bq kg(-1) of dry plant per Bq kg(-1) of dry soil. Mass activity concentrations of Ra-226, Th-232, K-40 and Cs-137 in soil and plant samples were measured with high purity germanium detector (HPGe). The concentrations of As, Co, Cr, Cu, Mn, Ni, Pb and Zn were determined, as well as the cation exchange capacity (CEC) and the content of exchangeable cations (Ca, Mg, K, Na). Wide ranges of values were obtained for all the metals, especially for Cr and Ni. The Absalom model was used for determination of the amount of Cs-137 transferred from soil to plant based on soil characteristics such as pH, exchangeable potassium, humus and clay contents. The estimated transfer factors were in the range from 0.011 to 0.307 with an arithmetic mean of 0.071, median of 0.050, geometric mean of 0.053 and geometric standard deviation (GSD) of 2.08. This value agreed well with that calculated from the measurements of 0.069, geometric mean 0.040 and GSD 3.19. Correlations between radionuclides, metals, physicochemical properties and transfer factors were determined by Spearman correlation coefficient. There was a strong positive correlation between Cs-137 transfer factor and the ratio of transfer factor for K and Cs-137. Principal Component Analysis (PCA) was performed in order to identify some pattern of data

Analysis of anatomical and micromorphological characteristics of Iva xanthifolia nutt.

Iva xanthifolia is a North American weed species, which was introduced and naturalized in Europe. Anatomical and micromorphological characteristics of this species were investigated, in order to get better knowledge of its biology, which could help in development of strategies for prevention of its spreading. Detailed descriptions of lamina, petiole, stem and inflorescence axis anatomical structures were given, together with micromorphological characteristics of epidermis and indumentum of lamina, petiole, stem, inflorescence axis, involucre and fruit. All vegetative organs had mesomorphic structure, with some xeromorphic adaptations. Mechanical tissue was well developed, which gave those plants additional strength and resistance. Trichomes were the most numerous on lamina and in the region of inflorescence, while rare on petiole and stem epidermis and their distribution varied according to plant organ