Host-associated divergence in the activity of digestive enzymes in two populations of the gypsy moth Lymantria dispar (Lepidoptera: Erebidae)

The gypsy moth is a generalist insect pest with an extremely wide host range. Adaptive responses of digestive enzymes are important for the successful utilization of plant hosts that differ in the contents and ratios of constituent nutrients and allelochemicals. In the present study, we examined the responses of α-amylase, trypsin, and leucine aminopeptidase to two tree hosts (suitable oak, Quercus cerris, and unsuitable locust tree, Robinia pseudoacacia) in the fourth, fifth, and sixth instars of gypsy moth larvae originating from oak and locust tree forest populations (hereafter assigned as Quercus and Robinia populations, respectively). Gypsy moths from the Robinia forest had been adapting to this unsuitable host for more than 40 generations. To test for population-level host plant specialization, we applied a two-population × two-host experimental design. We compared the levels, developmental patterns, and plasticities of the activities of enzymes. The locust tree diet increased enzyme activity in the fourth instar and reduced activity in advanced instars of the Quercus larvae in comparison to the oak diet. These larvae also exhibited opposite developmental trajectories on the two hosts, i.e. activity increased on the oak diet and decreased on the locust tree diet with the progress of instar. Larvae of the Robinia population were characterized by reduced plasticity of enzyme activity and its developmental trajectories. In addition, elevated trypsin activity in response to an unsuitable host was observed in all instar larvae of the Robinia population, which demonstrated that Robinia larvae had an improved digestive performance than did Quercus larvae

Merenje ispoljavanja aleksitimije i autističnih odlika kod studenata: unutrašnja konzistentnost i konvergentna validnost skala

Uvod: Aleksitimija kao subklinički fenomen i poremećaj iz spektra autizma dele pojedine karakteristike, a jedna od njih je upravo smanjena sposobnost razumevanja i identifikacije kako svojih, tako i tuđih emocija, kao i smanjena i kvalitativno izmenjena sposobnost komunikacije u vezi sa iskazivanjem ovih emocija kroz razgovor sa drugima. Cilj: Usled prepletenosto aleksitimije i autizma cilj našeg rada bio je da na populaciji studenata utvrdimo povezanost dve skale za procenu aleksitimije – Torontske skale za procenu aleksitimije (TAS-20) i Pertskog upitnika za procenu aleksitimije (PAQ), kao i povezanost skala za procenu aleksitimije i autističnih odlika – crta autizma u oblasti socijalne komunikacije i stereotipnog ponašanja, izraženih kroz koeficijent autističnosti (AQ). Metode: Uzorak je činilo 159 studenata (131 ženskog i 28 muškog pola) starosti od 19 do 36 godina. Za procenu aleksitimije korišćeni su TAS-20 i PAQ, dok je za procenu autističnih odlika korišćen koeficijent autističnosti (AQ). Rezultati: Rezultati istraživanja ukazuju na visoku povezanost dva instrumenta za procenu aleksitimije (rs = 0,80, p < 0,001), s tim da je Pertski upitnik za procenu aleksitimije imao bolju unutrašnju konzistentnost 0,96, u odnosu na 0,86 i ukazivao na manji procenat osoba sa visokim nivoom aleksitimije (5,7% u odnosu na 12,6%). Između aleksitimije i autističnih odlika utvrđena je umerena pozi- tivna povezanost (AQ i PAQ: rs = 0,46, p < 0,001; AQ i TAS-20: rs = 0,51, p<0,001). Zaključak: Prema našim saznanjima, ovo je prvo istraživanje u kome je korišćen Pertski upitnik aleksitimije preveden na srpski jezik. Upitnik je pokazao odličnu unutrašnju konzistentnost, kao i konvergentnu validnost, izraženu kroz visoku korelaciju sa Toronto skalom za procenu aleksitimije. Dobijena korelacija između dve mere za procenu aleksitimije, kao i između skala za procenu aleksitimije i autističnih odlika, u skladu je sa rezultatima prethodnih inostranih istraživanjantroduction: Alexithymia, as a subclinical phenomenon, and a disorder within the autism spectrum share certain characteristics, one of which is a reduced ability to understand and identify one’s own and others’ emotions, as well as a reduced and qualitatively altered ability to communicate and express these emotions through conversation with others. Aim: Due to the interweaving of alexithymia and autism, the aim of our study was to determine, on the student population, the correlation of two alexithymia assessment scales, the Toronto Alexithymia Assessment Scale (TAS-20) and the Perth Alexithymia Questionnaire (PAQ), as well as the association between alexithymia and autistic features – autism in the area of social communication and stereotypic behavior, expressed through the autistic coefficient (AQ). Methods: The sample consisted of 159 students (131 female and 28 male) aged 19 to 36 years. The Toronto Alexithymia Assessment Scale (TAS-20) and the Perth Alexithymia Questionnaire (PAQ) were used to assess alexithymia, while the Autism Quotient (AQ) was used to assess autistic features. Results: The results of the study indicate a high correlation between the two instruments for assessing alexithymia (rs = .80, p< .001), with the Perth Alexithymia Questionnaire showing better internal consistency (α =.96, compared to α = .86) and indicating a lower percentage of individuals with high levels of alexithymia (5.7% compared to 12.6%). A moderate positive correlation was found between alexithymia and autistic traits (AQ and PAQ: rs= .46, p < .001; AQ and TAS-20: rs = .51, p < .001). Conclusion: To our knowledge, this is the first study in which the used Perth Alexithymia Questionnaire for alexithymia has been translated into the Serbian language. The questionnaire demonstrated excellent internal consistency, as well as convergent validity, expressed through a high correlation with the Toronto Alexithymia Scale. The obtained correlation between the two measures of alexithymia, as well as between alexithymia and AQ, is in line with the results of previous international studies

Merenje ispoljavanja aleksitimije i autističnih odlika kod studenata: unutrašnja konzistentnost i konvergentna validnost skala

Uvod: Aleksitimija kao subklinički fenomen i poremećaj iz spektra autizma dele pojedine karakteristike, a jedna od njih je upravo smanjena sposobnost razumevanja i identifikacije kako svojih, tako i tuđih emocija, kao i smanjena i kvalitativno izmenjena sposobnost komunikacije u vezi sa iskazivanjem ovih emocija kroz razgovor sa drugima. Cilj: Usled prepletenosto aleksitimije i autizma cilj našeg rada bio je da na populaciji studenata utvrdimo povezanost dve skale za procenu aleksitimije – Torontske skale za procenu aleksitimije (TAS-20) i Pertskog upitnika za procenu aleksitimije (PAQ), kao i povezanost skala za procenu aleksitimije i autističnih odlika – crta autizma u oblasti socijalne komunikacije i stereotipnog ponašanja, izraženih kroz koeficijent autističnosti (AQ). Metode: Uzorak je činilo 159 studenata (131 ženskog i 28 muškog pola) starosti od 19 do 36 godina. Za procenu aleksitimije korišćeni su TAS-20 i PAQ, dok je za procenu autističnih odlika korišćen koeficijent autističnosti (AQ). Rezultati: Rezultati istraživanja ukazuju na visoku povezanost dva instrumenta za procenu aleksitimije (rs = 0,80, p < 0,001), s tim da je Pertski upitnik za procenu aleksitimije imao bolju unutrašnju konzistentnost 0,96, u odnosu na 0,86 i ukazivao na manji procenat osoba sa visokim nivoom aleksitimije (5,7% u odnosu na 12,6%). Između aleksitimije i autističnih odlika utvrđena je umerena pozi- tivna povezanost (AQ i PAQ: rs = 0,46, p < 0,001; AQ i TAS-20: rs = 0,51, p<0,001). Zaključak: Prema našim saznanjima, ovo je prvo istraživanje u kome je korišćen Pertski upitnik aleksitimije preveden na srpski jezik. Upitnik je pokazao odličnu unutrašnju konzistentnost, kao i konvergentnu validnost, izraženu kroz visoku korelaciju sa Toronto skalom za procenu aleksitimije. Dobijena korelacija između dve mere za procenu aleksitimije, kao i između skala za procenu aleksitimije i autističnih odlika, u skladu je sa rezultatima prethodnih inostranih istraživanjantroduction: Alexithymia, as a subclinical phenomenon, and a disorder within the autism spectrum share certain characteristics, one of which is a reduced ability to understand and identify one’s own and others’ emotions, as well as a reduced and qualitatively altered ability to communicate and express these emotions through conversation with others. Aim: Due to the interweaving of alexithymia and autism, the aim of our study was to determine, on the student population, the correlation of two alexithymia assessment scales, the Toronto Alexithymia Assessment Scale (TAS-20) and the Perth Alexithymia Questionnaire (PAQ), as well as the association between alexithymia and autistic features – autism in the area of social communication and stereotypic behavior, expressed through the autistic coefficient (AQ). Methods: The sample consisted of 159 students (131 female and 28 male) aged 19 to 36 years. The Toronto Alexithymia Assessment Scale (TAS-20) and the Perth Alexithymia Questionnaire (PAQ) were used to assess alexithymia, while the Autism Quotient (AQ) was used to assess autistic features. Results: The results of the study indicate a high correlation between the two instruments for assessing alexithymia (rs = .80, p< .001), with the Perth Alexithymia Questionnaire showing better internal consistency (α =.96, compared to α = .86) and indicating a lower percentage of individuals with high levels of alexithymia (5.7% compared to 12.6%). A moderate positive correlation was found between alexithymia and autistic traits (AQ and PAQ: rs= .46, p < .001; AQ and TAS-20: rs = .51, p < .001). Conclusion: To our knowledge, this is the first study in which the used Perth Alexithymia Questionnaire for alexithymia has been translated into the Serbian language. The questionnaire demonstrated excellent internal consistency, as well as convergent validity, expressed through a high correlation with the Toronto Alexithymia Scale. The obtained correlation between the two measures of alexithymia, as well as between alexithymia and AQ, is in line with the results of previous international studies

CHANGES OF QUALITY AND ANTIOXIDATIVE POTENTIAL BY RASPBERRY FREEZING

More recently the interest for antioxidant properties of food was increased, due to their health-promoting properties. In the analysis of food, in addition to finding the usual quality parameters, one more often determines its antioxidant potential. The present study evaluated the effect of freezing process on raspberry fruits changes. The content of dry matter, total sugars and acids, vitamin C, as well as sensory analysis of quality were determined. Antioxidant potential was measured by DPPH method, testing the ability of DPPH radical neutralization. The results indicate that the freezing caused minor changes in chemical quality parameters. The changes in sensory quality characteristics were higher. The most marked was the loss of consistency, then flavor changes, and the taste of raspberry fruit was some modified

Application of International Standards in Election Processes in Republic of Serbia

Izborni sistem i sami izbori predstavljaju važan temelj svakog demokratskog društva i javnost je po pravilu osetljiva na dešavanja u ovoj oblasti. Veliki broj međunarodnih standarda se bavi uređivanjem ili definisanjem pojedinih aktivnosti ili aspekata izbornih procesa. Cilj ovog rada je da ukaže na mogućnosti i ograničenja u primeni međunarodnih standarda u izbornim procesima u Republici Srbiji. Kroz teorijski deo, dat je prikaz izbornih procesa u Republici Srbiji i primena preporuka OSCE Priručnika za praćenje i unapređenje izbornog procesa. Takođe su prikazani standardi ISO/TS 17582:2014 koji se odnose na posebne zahteve i ISO 18091:2015 za izborne procese u lokalnoj samoupravi. Rad takođe daje osvrt na postojeće stanje i nedostatke u izbornim procesima, kao i predloge i modele za poboljšanje izbornog procesa. U radu su prikazani rezultati empirijskog istraživanja o primeni izbornih standarda u Republici Srbiji.The electoral system and the elections themselves are one of the most important topics of a democratic society and are provoking public attention on a daily basis. A large number of international standards are concerned with editing or defining particular activities or aspects of electoral processes. The aim of this paper is to point out the possibilities and limitations in the application of international standards in electoral processes in the Republic of Serbia. The theoretical part gives an overview of the electoral processes in the Republic of Serbia and the implementation of the OSCE Recommendations on the Monitoring and Improvement of the Election Process. Also presented are ISO/TS 17582:2014 standards related to special requirements and ISO 18091: 2015 for electoral processes in local government. The paper gives an overview of the current situation and shortcomings in the electoral processes, as well as suggestions and models for improving the electoral process. The paper also provides an empirical study on the application of election standards in the Republic of Serbia

Higijensko sanitarni uslovi na pčelinjaku

Zbornik radov

Promena kvaliteta i antioksidativnog potencijala pri smrzavanju maline

More recently the interest for antioxidant properties of food was increased, due to their health-promoting properties. In the analysis of food, in addition to finding the usual quality parameters, one more often determines its antioxidant potential. The present study evaluated the effect of freezing process on raspberry fruits changes. The content of dry matter, total sugars and acids, vitamin C, as well as sensory analysis of quality were determined. Antioxidant potential was measured by DPPH method, testing the ability of DPPH radical neutralization. The results indicate that the freezing caused minor changes in chemical quality parameters. The changes in sensory quality characteristics were higher. The most marked was the loss of consistency, then flavor changes, and the taste of raspberry fruit was some modified.U novije vreme antioksidativnim svojstvima hrane pridaje se veliki značaj zbog pozitivnog uticaja na zdravlje ljudi. Pri analizi hrane, pored utvrđivanja uobičajenih parametara kvaliteta, sve češće se određuje i njen antioksidativni potencijal. U radu su analizirane promene do kojih dolazi pri smrzavanju maline. Utvrđivan je sadržaj suve materije, ukupnih šećera i kiselina, vitamina C, kao i senzorna analiza kvaliteta. Antioksidativni potencijal meren je metodom DPPH, ispitivanjem sposobnosti neutralizacije DPPH radikala. Dobijeni rezultati ukazuju da pri smrzavanju dolazi do neznatnih promena hemijskih parametara kvaliteta. U senzornim karakteristikama promene su nešto veće. Najupadljiviji je gubitak konzistencije, zatim arome, a donekle je izmenjen i ukus plodova

Host expansion modifies activity of phosphatases in a legume store pest Acanthoscelides obtectus (Say)

Bean weevil, Acanthoscelides obtectus (Say) (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae, Bruchinae) is a cosmopolitan pest of legume stored products. Storages with various legume seeds can facilitate shifts of the weevil from its primary host, common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.), to other legume species and enable host expansion, i.e. broadening of the range of acceptable plant-hosts. In the first generation of host shift, survival of an insect depends on ability to adjust its physiology to altered content of nutrients and secondary metabolites in novel host. On a long-term scale, physiological adaptations to a new host can comprise modifications both in level and plasticity of physiological traits. Changes in activity of phosphatases play an essential role in this process due to their involvement in diverse functions. This study investigated alterations in activity of total acid, lysosomal acid and alkaline phosphatases using laboratory populations of A.obtectus which were maintained either on the optimal host (common bean) or on the suboptimal host (chickpea, Cicer arietinum L.) for 28 years. To determine short-term (plastic) effects, subsets of individuals from each population were exposed to the alternative host for one generation. Our results revealed that one-generation shift to chickpea significantly increased phosphatases' activity reflecting immediate plastic response to nutritional/allelochemical stress where these enzymes might be involved in defense mechanisms. On the other hand, both level and plasticity of phosphatases' activities significantly declined as a long-term response to Cicer-based diet suggesting that selection on chickpea favored resistance mechanisms that were less costly than phosphatases. Considering diverse roles of phosphatases we suggest that such modifications could be crucial for expanding host range and might have implications on efficiency of chemical and botanical insecticides

Effects of hospital facilities on patient outcomes after cancer surgery: an international, prospective, observational study

© 2022 The Author(s). Published by Elsevier Ltd. This is an Open Access article under the CC BY 4.0 licenseBackground: Early death after cancer surgery is higher in low-income and middle-income countries (LMICs) compared with in high-income countries, yet the impact of facility characteristics on early postoperative outcomes is unknown. The aim of this study was to examine the association between hospital infrastructure, resource availability, and processes on early outcomes after cancer surgery worldwide. Methods: A multimethods analysis was performed as part of the GlobalSurg 3 study—a multicentre, international, prospective cohort study of patients who had surgery for breast, colorectal, or gastric cancer. The primary outcomes were 30-day mortality and 30-day major complication rates. Potentially beneficial hospital facilities were identified by variable selection to select those associated with 30-day mortality. Adjusted outcomes were determined using generalised estimating equations to account for patient characteristics and country-income group, with population stratification by hospital. Findings: Between April 1, 2018, and April 23, 2019, facility-level data were collected for 9685 patients across 238 hospitals in 66 countries (91 hospitals in 20 high-income countries; 57 hospitals in 19 upper-middle-income countries; and 90 hospitals in 27 low-income to lower-middle-income countries). The availability of five hospital facilities was inversely associated with mortality: ultrasound, CT scanner, critical care unit, opioid analgesia, and oncologist. After adjustment for case-mix and country income group, hospitals with three or fewer of these facilities (62 hospitals, 1294 patients) had higher mortality compared with those with four or five (adjusted odds ratio [OR] 3·85 [95% CI 2·58–5·75]; p<0·0001), with excess mortality predominantly explained by a limited capacity to rescue following the development of major complications (63·0% vs 82·7%; OR 0·35 [0·23–0·53]; p<0·0001). Across LMICs, improvements in hospital facilities would prevent one to three deaths for every 100 patients undergoing surgery for cancer. Interpretation: Hospitals with higher levels of infrastructure and resources have better outcomes after cancer surgery, independent of country income. Without urgent strengthening of hospital infrastructure and resources, the reductions in cancer-associated mortality associated with improved access will not be realised. Funding: National Institute for Health and Care Research