The Role of Agritourism’s Impact on the Local Community in a Transitional Society: A Report from Serbia

This study assessed local residents’ attitudesin Serbia toward the impact of agritourismin their surroundings, using a Tourism ImpactAttitude Scale (TIAS). Till now, analysis of theimpact of tourism on the attitudes of residentsin rural areas of Serbia and other Balkan transitionalcountries is insuffi ciently researched. Theanalyzed items of the TIAS were grouped intofour factors: personal and community benefi ts(grouped eight items); negative impacts (sevenitems); concern for the local tourism development(fi ve items); and general opinion abouttourism development (three items). The factorsexplain 47.47% of the variance. Furthermore,the results showed that residents consider thepossibility to have more money to spend as themost important impact of tourism development. Itis followed by the support of local authorities topromote tourism development. The third relevantissue for the residents is related with encouragementof tourism in the local community. Theseare the key propositions to start an initiative forthe local communities to actively participate inagritourism development. The results provideresidents, tourism organizers and local authoritieswith important community perceptions pertainingto the agritourism’s impact

Orchid species Anacamptis morio as a potential bioremediator of As, Cd and Pb

In this study concentration of toxic elements as, Cd, and Pb were determined in different soil types and belonging orchid species Anacamptis morio vital parts, in order to examine accumulation patterns and provide new insights about the potential use of this orchid in bioremediation technology. Soils developed on limestone, serpentine, and the chert were subjected to the BCR sequential extraction. Samples of orchid roots and tubers, as underground parts, and stems, leaves, and inflorescences, as above-ground organs, were also analyzed for the content of as, Cd and Pb. During this research, it was observed that metal content in soil is directly proportional to its content in the plant, more specifically in roots, which suggests that A. morio can potentially be used in the phytostabilization of contaminated sites. Values for BCF factors showed Cd immobilization in roots regardless of the soil type. A certain level of arsenic was transferred from roots to leaves indicating the potential for accumulation of this element into aboveground organs. Assessment of the phytoremediation potential of this orchid or another plant species from diverse environments is important as it provides information about the possibility of their future application in environmental remediation programs

Ethyl Pyruvate Stimulates Regulatory T Cells and Ameliorates Type 1 Diabetes Development in Mice.

Type 1 diabetes (T1D) is an autoimmune disease in which a strong inflammatory response causes the death of insulin-producing pancreatic β-cells, while inefficient regulatory mechanisms allow that response to become chronic. Ethyl pyruvate (EP), a stable pyruvate derivate and certified inhibitor of an alarmin-high mobility group box 1 (HMGB1), exerts anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory properties in animal models of rheumatoid arthritis and encephalomyelitis. To test its therapeutic potential in T1D, EP was administered intraperitoneally to C57BL/6 mice with multiple low-dose streptozotocin (MLDS)-induced T1D. EP treatment decreased T1D incidence, reduced the infiltration of cells into the pancreatic islets and preserved β-cell function. Apart from reducing HMGB1 expression, EP treatment successfully interfered with the inflammatory response within the local pancreatic lymph nodes and in the pancreas. Its effect was restricted to boosting the regulatory arm of the immune response through up-regulation of tolerogenic dendritic cells (CD11c+CD11b-CD103+) within the pancreatic infiltrates and through the enhancement of regulatory T cell (Treg) levels (CD4+CD25highFoxP3+). These EP-stimulated Treg displayed enhanced suppressive capacity reflected in increased levels of CTLA-4, secreted TGF-β, and IL-10 and in the more efficient inhibition of effector T cell proliferation compared to Treg from diabetic animals. Higher levels of Treg were a result of increased differentiation and proliferation (Ki67+ cells), but also of the heightened potency for migration due to increased expression of adhesion molecules (CD11a and CD62L) and CXCR3 chemokine receptor. Treg isolated from EP-treated mice had the activated phenotype and T-bet expression more frequently, suggesting that they readily suppressed IFN-γ-producing cells. The effect of EP on Treg was also reproduced in vitro. Overall, our results show that EP treatment reduced T1D incidence in C57BL/6 mice predominantly by enhancing Treg differentiation, proliferation, their suppressive capacity, and recruitment into the pancreas

DETERMINATION OF CONTENT AND ANTIOXIDANT CAPACITY OF NATURAL FOOD COLORS E160A AND E160D IN KETCHUP

After potato, tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) is the world’s second-largest vegetable crop. More than 80% of tomato consumption comes from processed products such as ketchup, tomato juice, pickled tomatoes, sauces, paste, purée. Samples of mild ketchup from two different manufacturers (A and B) were selected for the analysis of the content of natural food colors E160a and E160d. Using a UV-Vis spectrophotometric method and Lambert-Beer law, a system of two linear equations with two unknowns was set up, which was used to determine the concentrations of colors E160a and E160d. The antioxidant capacity of the two selected samples was determined using the DPPH assay. The obtained results indicated that the content of colors E160a and E160d was higher in the sample of ketchup B. Also, the DPPH assay showed that the sample of ketchup B had a higher antioxidant capacity

Apparent diffusion coefficient measurement covering complete tumor area better predicts rectal cancer response to neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy

Aim To determine the impact of two apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) measurement techniques on diffusionweighted magnetic resonance images (DW MRI) on the assessment of rectal cancer response to neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy (CRT). Methods ADC values were measured prospectively with two different techniques – the first, which measures ADCs in the most cellular tumor parts, and the second, which measures the entire tumor area, in 58 patients with locally advanced rectal cancer on pre-CRT and post-CRT image sets. Areas under the receiver operating characteristic curves (AUCs) and parameters of diagnostic accuracy were calculated for pre- and post-CRT ADC values and numeric and percent ADC change for each technique to determine their performance in tumor response evaluation using histopathological tumor-regression grade as the reference standard. Results The second technique yielded higher AUCs (0.935 vs 0.704, P < 0.001), percent-change (0.828 vs 0.636, P < 0.001), and numeric-change (0.866 vs 0.653, P < 0.001) than the first technique for post-CRT ADC. Accuracies for post-CRT ADC assessment were 62% for the first and 88% for the second technique (cut-off values: 0.98 and 1.29 × 10−3 mm2/s, respectively) and for ADC change assessment, both numeric and percent, 59% and 74%, respectively (cut-off values: increase of 0.18 and 0.28 × 10−3 mm2/s; increase of 24% and 37%, respectively). Conclusions The type of measurement technique significantly affected ADC results. ADC measurements covering a larger area better predicted tumor response to therapy. Post-CRT ADCs, regardless of the measurement technique, and numeric ADC change measured in the whole tumor volume accurately identified non-complete responders. Post-CRT ADCs measured in the entire tumor area yielded the highest accuracy level in tumor response evaluation

Stabilization of Black Locust Flower Extract via Encapsulation Using Alginate and Alginate–Chitosan Microparticles

Black locust flower extract contains various polyphenols and their glucosides contribute to the potential health benefits. After intake of these bioactive compounds and passage through the gastrointestinal tract, their degradation can occur and lead to a loss of biological activity. To overcome this problem, the bioactive compounds should be protected from environmental conditions. This study aimed to encapsulate the black flower extract in the microparticles based on biodegradable polysaccharides, alginate, and chitosan. In the extract, the total antioxidant content was found to be 3.18 ± 0.01 g gallic acid equivalent per 100 g of dry weight. Also, the presence of lipids (16), phenolics (27), organic acids (4), L-aspartic acid derivative, questinol, gibberellic acid, sterol, and saponins (2) was confirmed using the UHPLC–ESI–MS analysis. In vitro assays showed that the extract has weak anti-α-glucosidase activity and moderate antioxidant and cytotoxic activity against the HeLa cell line. The extrusion method with secondary air flow enabled the preparation of microparticles (about 270 μm) encapsulated with extract. An encapsulation efficiency of over 92% was achieved in the alginate and alginate–chitosan microparticles. The swelling study confirmed a lower permeability of alginate–chitosan microparticles compared with alginate microparticles. For both types of microparticles, the release profile of antioxidants in the simulated gastrointestinal fluids at 37 °C followed the Korsmeyer–Peppas model. A lower diffusion coefficient than 0.5 indicated the simple Fick diffusion of antioxidants. The alginate–chitosan microparticles enabled a more sustained release of antioxidants from extract compared to the alginate microparticles. The obtained results indicated an improvement in the antioxidant activity of bioactive compounds from the extract and their protection from degradation in the simulated gastric conditions via encapsulation in the polymer matrixes. Alginate–chitosan showed slightly slower cumulative antioxidant release from microparticles and better antioxidant activity of the extract compared to the alginate system. According to these results, alginate–chitosan microparticles are more suitable for further application in the encapsulation of black locust flower extract. Also, the proposed polymer matrix as a drug delivery system is safe for human use due to its biodegradability and non-toxicity

Distribution of macrolide-resistant genes among isolates of macrolideresistant Streptococcus pyogenes and Streptococcus pneumoniae in Serbia

Macrolide resistance in Streptococcus pneumoniae and in group A streptococci (GAS) is a significant problem worldwide. In Serbia, data on the mechanisms of resistance and the corresponding resistance genes in streptococci are largely lacking. Therefore, we analyzed the distribution of macrolide resistance phenotypes and genotypes in 44 macrolideresistant GAS (MRGAS) and 50 macrolide-resistant S. pneumoniae (MRSP) isolates collected in the same period. The double disk diffusion test and PCR were used to analyze resistance phenotypes and resistance genes, respectively. Among MRSP, the MLSB phenotype dominated, whereas the M phenotype was the most prevalent among MRGAS isolates. Consequently, in MRSP, the ermB gene was the most common (n=40, 80%), followed by the mefA gene (n=7,14%). In MRGAS strains, mefA dominated (n=27,61%), followed by ermA (n=15, 33%) and ermB (n=3, 7%). In 3 MRSP isolates no resistance genes were detected, while one MRGAS strain with iMLSB phenotype harbored both ermA and mefA genes

Molecular genetics of autochthonous lactic acid bacteria

Autohtoni sojevi bakterija mlečne kiseline (BMK) su izolovane iz fermentisanih mlečnih proizvoda rađenih u domaćoj radinosti. Fermentisani mlečni proizvodi su sakupljani sa specifičnih ekoloških lokaliteta kao što su visoke planine (iznad 1200 m nadmorske visine), planinske visoravni, rečne doline, ostrva, obala Jadranskog mora, itd. Analiza kolekcije prirodnih izolata BMK je pokazala da izolati proizvode proteinaze, bakteriocine i egzopolisaharide. Pokazano je, takođe, da neki izolati laktokoka i laktobacila proizvode istovremeno dva različita bakteriocina. Pored toga određeni broj izolata proizvodi i proteinaze i bakteriocine. Nađeno je da prirodni izolati sintetišu specifične proteinaze. Analiza organizacije prt gena u prirodnim izolatima BMK je pokazala da četiri laktobacila poseduju organizaciju prt gena koja se razlikuje od do sada opisanih. Izučavanje regulacije gena koji kodiraju proteinaze, bakteriocine ili egzopolisaharide može olakšati konstrukciju specifičnih starter kultura za proizvodnju autohtonih fermentisanih mlečnih proizvoda, tj. fermentisanih proizvoda sa geografskim poreklom.Autochthonous strains of lactic acid bacteria (LAB) were isolated from homemade fermented milk products. These products were collected from specific ecological localities such as high mountains (above 1200 m above sea level) mountain plateaus, river valleys, islands, Adriatic coast, etc. Analysis of LAB from the collection of natural isolates revealed that they produce proteinases, bacteriocins and exopolysaccharides. It was also shown that some isolates of lactococci and lactobacilli produce two bacteriocins simultaneously. According to their antimicrobial and biochemical properties most of the analyzed bacteriocins in natural isolates of lactococci were class 11 bacteriocins. In addition some isolates produced both proteinase and bacteriocin. Biosynthesis of specific proteinases was detected in natural isolates. Analysis of the prt gene organization among natural isolates of LAB showed that four isolates of lactobacilli exhibited prt genes organization different from those described so far. Elucidation of the regulation of the genes encoding proteinases, bacteriocins and exopolysaccharides could facilitate the construction of specific starter cultures for production of autochthonous fermented milk products, i.e. fermented products with a geographical origin

Chokeberry (Aronia melanocarpa) fruit extract modulates immune response in vivo and in vitro

Chokeberry (Aronia melanocarpa) is known for its anti-oxidant, anti-inflammatory and anti-diabetic properties. Since the effects of chokeberry extract on the immune response have been only sporadically assessed, our aim was to investigate chokeberry fruit water extract on the immune response in vivo and in vitro. When administered orally to healthy mice, the extract exerted immunomodulatory effects in the gut evidenced by the altered proportion of macrophages, dendritic cells and T cells. Importantly, oral consumption of the chokeberry extract resulted in blood glucose level increase in C57BL/6 mice with chemically-induced diabetes. These in vivo results were corroborated by observed up-regulation of nitric oxide and interelukin-1β production in macrophages and dendritic cells, up-regulated phagocytic activity of macrophages, increased T and B lymphocytes proportions and differentiation of interferon-γ-producing T cells in vitro. The obtained results imply that our chokeberry extract stimulates pro-inflammatory properties in immune cells of innate and adaptive immunity

Facies and Origin of Tufa Deposits from the Gostilje River Basin and the Sopotnica River Basin (SW Serbia)

Tufa accumulations from the Gostilje River Basin and the Sopotnica River Basin in SW Serbia are represented by both active and fossil tufa precipitates. The aim of this study is to distinguish and describe different tufa facies and to determine the environmental conditions, based on stable isotope data. We also compare our analysis with other tufa deposits in Europe. Four facies are distinguished: moss tufa, algal tufa, stromatolitic laminated tufa, and phytoclastic tufa. The dominant constituent of all tufa samples is low Mg-calcite, whereas the presence of sylvite is noted in two samples from the Gostilje River Basin. The δ18O values range from −9.07‰ to −10.79‰ (mean value: −9.81‰), while the δ13C values range from −6.50‰ to −10.34‰ (mean values −9.01‰). The stable isotope values (δ13C and δ18O) indicate that these tufa deposits were precipitated from cold, ambient water supported by CO2 of an atmospheric origin. We emphasize that this is the first data about stable isotope analyses of tufa deposits from Serbia