Isolation and characterization of microsatellite markers in common sage (Salvia officinalis L., Lamiaceae)

Cilj ove disertacije bio je razvijanje i primjena mikrosatelitnih biljega na populacijama ljekovite kadulje (Salvia officinalis L.). Isto tako nastojalo se primijeniti razvijene biljege na drugim vrstama roda Salvia L. te vrsti Rosmarinus officinalis L.. Razvijeno je ukupno 29 biljega, a primjenom osam najinformativnijih provedena je populacijsko-genetička analiza 45 populacija ljekovite kadulje s Balkanskog poluotoka. Srodstveni odnosi između većine populacija bili su korelirani s njihovom geografskom udaljenošću. Izuzetak je pet populacija za koje se pretpostavlja da nisu prirodne nego potječu iz uzgoja. Prema alelnom bogatstvu središte genetičke raznolikosti ljekovite kadulje nalazi se u Srednjoj i Južnoj Dalmaciji. Primjena mikrosatelitnih biljega ljekovite kadulje na kratkozupčastoj kadulji (S. brachyodon Vandas), otkrila je prolaz populacije s poluotoka Pelješca kroz genetsko usko grlo. Dobiveni rezultat naglašava potrebu preispitivanja statusa ugroženosti ove endemične vrste. Mikrosatelitna analiza ljekovite i grčke kadulje na otoku Visu (S. fruticosa Mill.) potvrdila je postojanje hibridne svojte S x auriculata Mill..The goal of this dissertation was development and application of microsatellite markers on common sage populations, as well as their application on other sage species and Rosmarinus officinalis L. Overall, 29 markers were developed, and by using eight of highest informativity, population genetic analysis of 45 common sage populations from Balkan peninsula was performed. Relationships between most of populations were corelated with their geographical distribution, with exeption of 5 populations which are believed to originate from cultivation. According to allelic richness, center of common sage genetic diversity is located in Central and Southern Dalmatia. Apllication of microsatellite markers from common sage on Salvia brachyodon Vandas revealed a recent bottleneck event in population from Pelješac peninsula, thus stressing the need for redefining of conservation status of this endemic species. Microsatellite analysis of common and greek sage (S. fruticosa Mill.) from Island of Vis confirmed presence of lineage of hybrid origin, S x auriculata Mill.

Mesobuthus gibbosus scorpionism in Montenegro: report of two cases

Cilj: Vrlo je malo podataka u literaturi o medicinskom značaju otrova škorpiona Mesobuthus gibbosus koji se smatra potencijalno opasnim za ljudsko zdravlje. U ovom radu prikazani su slučajevi dvaju bolesnika u dobi od 16 i 25 godina sa škorpionizmom izazvanim vrstom Mesobuthus gibbosus. Prikaz slučaja: Ubodi u oba slučaja nastali su prilikom građevinskih radova. Od općih simptoma zapaženi su: uzbuđenost, pulsirajući bolovi, grčevi mišića nogu, bljedilo čitave kože, profuzno znojenje. Lokalni simptomi bili su: parestezije, modrilo kože, eritematozna oteklina s centralnom crvenom točkom. Primijenjena je simptomatska terapija. Bolesnici nakon više dana nisu imali simptome i potpuno su se oporavili. Zaključak: Mesobuthus gibbosus živi na crnogorskom primorju i predstavlja realnu opasnost za zdravlje lokalnog pučanstva i turista. Liječenje ovog škorpionizma isključivo je simptomatsko. Ovaj rad donosi prvi detaljan opis simptoma ovog škorpionizma na našem području.Aim: There is very little data in the literature on the medical significance of Mesobuthus gibbosus whose sting is considered potentially hazardous for human health. In this case two patients in the age of 16 and 25 with diagnosed scorpionism Mesobuthus gibbosus are described. Case report: The stings in both cases occured during the construction work done by tourists. The following general symptomes were noticed: excitement, pulsating pains, muscle cramps in legs, pallor and profuse sweating. Local symptoms were: paresthesis, bruised skin, erithematous swelling with a red spot in the centre. Both cases were treated with symptomatic therapy only. The patients were without any symptoms and residues after a few days. Conclusions: Mesobuthus gibbosus can be found at the Montenegrian coast and represents a real danger for the health of the local community and tourists. Therapy of this scorpionism is only symptomatic. This is of course the first detailed symtoms description of these type of scorpionism on the our teritory

Mesobuthus gibbosus scorpionism in Montenegro: report of two cases

Cilj: Vrlo je malo podataka u literaturi o medicinskom značaju otrova škorpiona Mesobuthus gibbosus koji se smatra potencijalno opasnim za ljudsko zdravlje. U ovom radu prikazani su slučajevi dvaju bolesnika u dobi od 16 i 25 godina sa škorpionizmom izazvanim vrstom Mesobuthus gibbosus. Prikaz slučaja: Ubodi u oba slučaja nastali su prilikom građevinskih radova. Od općih simptoma zapaženi su: uzbuđenost, pulsirajući bolovi, grčevi mišića nogu, bljedilo čitave kože, profuzno znojenje. Lokalni simptomi bili su: parestezije, modrilo kože, eritematozna oteklina s centralnom crvenom točkom. Primijenjena je simptomatska terapija. Bolesnici nakon više dana nisu imali simptome i potpuno su se oporavili. Zaključak: Mesobuthus gibbosus živi na crnogorskom primorju i predstavlja realnu opasnost za zdravlje lokalnog pučanstva i turista. Liječenje ovog škorpionizma isključivo je simptomatsko. Ovaj rad donosi prvi detaljan opis simptoma ovog škorpionizma na našem području.Aim: There is very little data in the literature on the medical significance of Mesobuthus gibbosus whose sting is considered potentially hazardous for human health. In this case two patients in the age of 16 and 25 with diagnosed scorpionism Mesobuthus gibbosus are described. Case report: The stings in both cases occured during the construction work done by tourists. The following general symptomes were noticed: excitement, pulsating pains, muscle cramps in legs, pallor and profuse sweating. Local symptoms were: paresthesis, bruised skin, erithematous swelling with a red spot in the centre. Both cases were treated with symptomatic therapy only. The patients were without any symptoms and residues after a few days. Conclusions: Mesobuthus gibbosus can be found at the Montenegrian coast and represents a real danger for the health of the local community and tourists. Therapy of this scorpionism is only symptomatic. This is of course the first detailed symtoms description of these type of scorpionism on the our teritory

Morphological Analysis of Short-Tooth Sage (Salvia brachyodon Vandas) Populations

Short-tooth sage (Salvia brachyodon Vandas) is an endemic and one of the rarest plant species of the Dinaric karst. Although older literature indicates its presence in more localities; only two have been confirmed at the present time; Mt. Orjen (border of Bosnia and Herzegovina and Montenegro) and Pelješac peninsula (Croatia). Due to its very narrow distribution and economically very interesting essential oil composition short-tooth sage might become more endangered in the future. The aim of this research was to determine and compare inter-and intra- population morphological diversity of the only two noted natural populations of short-tooth sage by analyzing 16 quantitative morphological traits. Pelješac population of short-tooth sage showed considerably higher values for traits related to habitus and plant height; while the Mt. Orjen population showed higher values for traits related to the calyx and higher occurrence of sessile glandular hairs on the flower pedicels. When interpreting the obtained results; we should consider the fact that the habitats on Pelješac peninsula and Mt. Orjen greatly differ. In order to get better insight into the diversity and differentiation of short-tooth sage populations and to define efficient protection measures an additional analysis of populations using molecular markers are recommended

Histamin u ribi dostupnoj na tržištu Srbije u 2018. godini

Histamine is a biogen amin, which is formed by decarboxylation of the histidine amino acid, under the action of the L-histidine-decarboxylase enzyme. High level of free histidine in fish meat, bacterial histidin decarboxylase activity and high temperature of storage elevate the level of histamine. Among the most important factors that can affect the level of histamine in fish meat are the type of fish and the method of its preservation. In order to determine this dependence, 1030 samples of frozen fish (tuna, mackerel, sardines and sprat) and 167 samples of canned fish (tuna, sardines and mackerel) were monitored for histamine content by ELISA method. It was determined a lower concentration of histamine in frozen fish (from 5.71 mg/kg to 18.03 mg/kg) compared to canned fish (from 15.03 mg/kg to 110.6 mg/kg). The highest histamine concentrations were found in the mackerel samples, regardless of the preservation method (110.6 mg/kg in canned mackerel and 18.03 mg/kg in frozen mackerel), which were significantly higher compared to the histamine levels found in cans of tuna and sardines (p ˂0.0001). Of the total number of samples, three samples (two samples of canned sardines and one sample of canned mackerel) were declared unsafe for human health. In most of the analyzed samples, the level of determined histamine was relatively low, which confirms adequate implementation of control protocols and efficant surveillance of products placed on the Serbian market.Histamin je bioaktivni amin, koji nastaje u reakciji dekarboksilacije aminokiseline histidina, pod dejstvom enzima Lhistidin dekarboksilaze. Visok nivo slobodnog histidina u mesu ribe, aktivnost enzim produkujućih bakterija i visoke temperature skladištenja deluju predisponirajuće na sintezu histamina. Među najznačajnije faktore koji utiču na koncentraciju histamina u mesu ribe jesu vrsta ribe i metod njenog konzervisanja. U cilju utvrđivanja ove zavisnosti, uzorci zamrznute ribe (tune, skuše, sardine i papaline) i ribe u konzervi (tune, sardine i skuše) su analizirani ELISA metodom. Utvrđene su niže koncentracije histamina u uzorcima zamrznute ribe (od 5.71 mg/kg do 18.03 mg/kg) u poređenju sa konzervama od ribe (od 15.03 mg/kg do 110.6 mg/kg). Najviše koncentracije histamina su ustanovljene u uzorcima skuše, bez obzira na metod konzervisanja (110.6 mg/kg u konzervama od skuše i 18.03 mg/kg u zamrznutoj skuši), koje su bile i statistički značajno veće u odnosu na konzerve tune i konzerve sardine (p ˂0.0001). Od ukupnog broja uzoraka, samo tri uzorka (dva uzorka sardine u konzervi i jedan uzorak skuše u konzervi) su proglašeni nebezbednim za zdravlje ljudi. U najvećem broju ispitanih uzoraka izmerene su relativno niske koncentracije histamina, što ukazuje na adekvatno sprovođenje kontrole i nadzora nad proizvodima koji se plasiraju u promet na srpskom tržištu

Bolest plavog jezika - epizootiološka situacija u Srbiji u 2015. godini, dijagnostika i diferencijalna dijagnostika

Bluetongue disease is non-contagious, vector borne, viral disease mainly of sheep but also of other domestic and wild ruminants. Bluetongue virus (BTV) belongs to the family Reoviridae, genus Orbivirus and is characterized by segmented double-stranded RNA. Virus is transmitted from one to another susceptible animal by hematophagous insects of the genus Culicoides. According to official data, between 2002 and 2014, Serbia has belonged to BTV free countries. After that, the first outbreak occurred in August 2014. The last case was reported in December of the same year. During 2015, 74 samples were examined for exclusion of bluetongue disease: 8 in cattle, 65 in sheep and one in goat. In order to detect viral genome, 73 blood samples and one tissue sample were examined by reverse transcription - polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). None of tested samples was confirmed to be BTV positive. Following the Instruction of the Ministry of Agriculture and Environmental Protection - Veterinary Directorate, monitoring program for Bluetongue disease in Serbia started from October 2015. The program consists of insect identification and detection of viral genome in Culicoides spp. by RT-PCR assay. Of the 80 samples that were received during the program realization in 2015, only four, which were collected during late autumn, have contained insects of Culicoides spp. In none of them, BTV was detected. For differential diagnosis, 65 ovine blood samples were examined for the presence of viruses of contagious ecthyma, sheep and goat pox as well as eight bovine blood samples were tested for viruses of bovine viral diarrhea, infectious bovine rhinotracheitis / pustular vulvovaginitis and malignant catarrhal fever. The samples were analyzed using molecular methods (PCR and RT-PCR). Only two bovine blood samples gave positive reaction for the presence of bovine viral diarrhea virus.Bolest plavog jezika je nekontagiozno, vektorski uslovljeno virusno oboljenje koje se javlja uglavnom kod ovaca, ali i kod ostalih domaćih i divljih preživara. Virus plavog jezika (Bluetongue Virus - BTV) pripada familiji Reoviridae, rod Orbivirus a karakteriše ga segmentirana dvolančana RNK. Virus među prijemčivim životinjskim vrstama prenosi hematofagni insekt iz roda Culicoides. Prema zvaničnim podacima, Srbija se u periodu između 2002. i 2014.godine smatrala zemljom slobodnom of BTV. Nakon toga, bolest se pojavila prvi put u avgustu 2014. Poslednji slučaj prijavljen je u decembru iste godine. Tokom 2015. Godine ispitana su 74 uzorka sa ciljem isključivanja bolesti plavog jezika, i to 8 uzoraka poreklom od goveda, 65 od ovaca i jedan od koza. U cilju detekcije virusnog genoma 73 uzorka krvi i jedan uzorak tkiva su ispitani metodom reverzibilne lančane reakcije polimeraze (RT-PCR). Ni jedan od testiranih uzoraka nije bio pozitivan na BTV. U skladu sa Instrukcijom Ministarstvo poljoprivrede i zaštite životne sredine - Uprave za veterinu, u oktobru 2015. godine započet je program monitoringa bolesti plavog jezika u Srbiji. Program podrazumeva identifikaciju insekata i detektovanje genoma virusa kod Culicoides spp. primenom metode RT-PCR. Od ukupno 80 uzoraka koji su primljeni na ispitivanje tokom realizacije programa u 2015. godini, samo četiri uzorka koji su prikupljeni tokom kasne jeseni sadržali su insekte iz roda Culicoides spp. Ni u jednom od uzoraka nije detektovan BTV. U svrhu diferencijalne dijagnostike 65 uzoraka ovčije krvi ispitano je na prisustvo virusa kontagioznog ektima, boginja koza i ovaca, a osam uzoraka krvi goveda testirano je na viruse goveđe virusne dijareje, infektivnog goveđeg rihotraheitisa / pustularnog vulvovaginitisa i maligne kataralne groznice. Uzorci su analizirani primenom molekularnih metoda (PCR i RT-PCR). Kod samo dva uzorka krvi goveda ustanovljena je pozitivna reakcija na prisustvo virusa goveđe virusne dijareje

Anatomski i funkcionalni faktori koji utiču na rezultate klasične hirurške procedure kod bolesnika sa regmatogenom ablacijom retine

Background/Aim. Rhegmatogenous retinal detachment is a potentially blinding condition of the posterior segment of the eye. Currently, the only treatment modality is surgery and surgical options include scleral buckling, pars plana vitrectomy and pneumoretinopexy. Many factors may influence the outcome of the surgery. Well defined indications are essential for achieving the best postoperative results. The aim of this study was to assess anatomical and functional outcome of treatment with scleral buckling for macula-off rhegmatogenous retinal detachments. Methods. This prospective, nonrandomized, interventional study included consecutive patients underwent scleral buckling for macula-off retinal detachment in the tertiary centre for vitreoretinal surgery. Results. A total of 168 consecutive patients (mean age 58.2 ± 13.9 years) were included in the study. Postoperatively, anatomical success was achieved in 152 (90.5%) of the patients. Parameters that influenced the anatomical success included the number of retinal breaks (p = 0.040), lens status (p = 0.041), preoperative proliferative vitreoretinopathy (p lt 0.001), patients' age (p = 0.049), and marginally, the presence of typical symptoms (p = 0.057). Duration of macular detachment, previous ocular trauma and refraction of the eye did not affect the anatomical result. Functional success was evaluated using the postoperative visual acuity and depended mainly on the duration of macular detachment prior the surgery. Visual acuity 0.4 or better was significantly more often achieved if duration of macular detachment was up to seven days (p lt 0.001). Refraction and patients' age did not influence the functional result. Conclusion. Scleral buckling is an efficient surgical procedure for treatment of patients with retinal detachment. Optimal results are achieved if operation is performed within the first seven days of duration of macular detachment.Uvod/Cilj. Regmatogena ablacija retine je oboljenje zadnjeg segmenta oka koje, ako se ne leči, može dovesti do slepila. Trenutno, jedini način lečenja je hirurški i opcije su klasična metoda (scleral buckling), pars plana vitrektomija i pneumoretinopeksija. Mnogi faktori mogu uticati na ishod operacije. Jasno definisane hirurške indikacije su ključne za postizanje dobrih postoperativnih rezultata. Cilj ove studije bio je da se procene faktori koji utiču na anatomski i funkcionalni ishod lečenja klasičnom metodom lečenja bolesnika sa regmatogenom ablacijom retine sa zahvaćenom makulom. Metode. U prospektivnu, nerandomizovanu, interventnu studiju bili su uključeni svi bolesnici operisani klasičnom metodom zbog ablacije retine sa zahvaćenom makulom, u tercijarnom centru za vitreoretinalnu hirurgiju. Rezultati. Ukupno 168 bolesnika (starosti 58,2 ± 13,9 godina) bilo je uključeno u studiju. Postoperativno, anatomski uspeh postignut je kod 152 (90,5%) bolesnika. Parametri koji su uticali na anatomski uspeh operacije bili: su broj ruptura retine (p = 0,040), status sočiva (p = 0,041), preoperativno prisustvo proliferativne vitreoretmopatije (p lt 0,001), starost (p = 0,049) i, granično, prisustvo tipičnih simptoma (p = 0,057). Dužina odvojenosti makule, ranije povrede oka i refrakcija oka nisu uticali na anatomski rezultat. Funkcionalni uspeh procenjivan je na osnovu postoperativne vidne oštrine i zavisio je uglavnom od preoperativne dužine trajanja odvojenosti makule. Vidnaoštrina 0,4 ili bolja bila je značajno češće postignuta ako je dužina trajanja odvojenosti makule bila do sedam dana (p lt 0,001). Refrakcija oka i životno doba bolesnika nisu uticali na funkcionalni ishod operacije. Zaključak. Klasična metoda scleral buckling je efikasna hirurška procedura za nekomplikovane slučajeve ablacije retine. Kada je makula zahvaćena, najbolji rezultati postižu se operacijom u toku prvih sedam dana od početka simptoma

Dalmatian Sage (Salvia officinalis L.): A Review of Biochemical Contents, Medical Properties and Genetic Diversity

Dalmatian sage (Salvia officinalis L.) represents one of the most significant medicinal autochthonous species in flora of eastern Adriatic coast and islands. It is evergreen outcrossing perennial subshrub with short woody stems that branch extensively and violet flowers. Apart from being native to Mediterranean karst of west Balkan and Apenine peninsula it is cultivated in numerous countries worldwide with Mediterranean and temperate continental climate. From the earliest times it has been used in traditional medicine in healing gingiva, mouth cavity and the sore throat, against bacterial and fungal infections, for wound treatment, memory enhancement, for treating common cold, against sweating, stomach inflammation, ulcer formation, etc. Its essential oil has also been used in preservation of food and as spice as it gives both specific aroma and promotes digestion of food. The essential oil is extremely complex mixture of different active ingredients; however, the thujones and camphor are the dominant compounds and are the parameter by which S. officinalis is distinguished from other Salvia species. The great variability of essential oil composition and yield has been detected depending on various factors such as genotype, environmental conditions, phonological stage, plant parts used for the extraction of essential oil and drying procedure. Molecular genetic analysis of S. officinalis is still limited and comprises the use of RAPD markers, AFLP and SSR markers in assessing mostly the genetic variability and structure of wild S. officinalis populations

Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Melanoma Diagnosis: Increased Breslow Thickness in Primary Melanomas: A Single Center Experience

Early melanoma diagnosis plays a key role in ensuring best prognosis with good survival rates. The ongoing global COVID-19 pandemic has greatly impacted global and national healthcare systems, thus making it a real challenge. The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of the pandemic on diagnostic delay in melanoma patients in Serbia. In this retrospective study, we included patients treated at the university hospital in Serbia’s capitol over a period of five years and three months. We compared the prepandemic (01/JAN/17-14/MAR/20) and pandemic periods (15/MAR/20-31/MAR/22) by evaluating patient demographic data, melanoma subtype, Breslow thickness, Clark level, ulceration status, mitotic index rate and pT staging. We observed a significant reduction in the number of diagnosed patients (86.3 vs. 13.7%; p = 0.036), with melanomas having an increased median Breslow thickness (1.80 vs. 3.00; p = 0.010), a higher percentage of Clark IV–V level lesions (44.0% vs. 63.0%; p = 0.009), an increase in median mitotic index rate (2 vs. 5; p < 0.001) and a trend of increase in lesions thicker than 2 mm (37.8% vs. 53.7%; p = 0.026). We believe that this study can be a useful scenario guide for future similar events, highlighting the importance of preventive measures and timely diagnosis for the best patient outcomes

Genetic Diversity of Dalmatian Sage (Salvia officinalis L.) as Assessed by RAPD Markers

Dalmatian or common sage (Salvia officinalis L.) is an outcrossing plant species native to East Adriatic coast. Random Amplified Polymorphic DNA markers (RAPD) were used to analyze genetic diversity and structure of ten natural populations from the East-Adriatic coastal region. The highest genetic diversity was found in populations from the central and south Dalmatia, while the highest frequency down-weighted marker values were found in the northernmost populations and the southern most inland population. Although analysis of molecular variance (AMOVA) revealed that most of the genetic diversity was attributable to differences among individuals within populations, highly significant φST values suggested the existence of genetic differentiation among populations. By assuming Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium within populations, the calculated FST value among population was moderate. Bayesian model-based clustering method revealed that at K = 2 all individuals belonging to two northern populations were assigned to a separate cluster from the individuals belonging to the rest of the population. At K = 3, the newly formed cluster grouped the majority of individuals belonging to populations from central Dalmatia. The high correlation between matrices of genetic and geographical distances showed that isolation by distance may play a considerable role in overall structuring of the genetic diversity