Editorial: Microenvironment-Derived Stem Cell Plasticity

No abstract available

Formaldehyde in screen printing indoor

The presence of formaldehyde in air samples has been detected in five screen printing facilities in Novi Sad, Serbia. Air samples were sampled continuously during 4 hours, and concentration levels of formaldehyde was determined by UV-VIS spectrometry at 580 nm. The range of formaldehyde concentrations was from 0.413 to 0.836 ppm. Comparison of the detected concentration levels with the permissible exposure limit of 0.75 ppm (the OSHA standard) indicated that the formaldehyde concentration in facility 5 was 1.11 times higher than prescribed value

Wastewater characterisation of screen printing

The paper presents a preliminary investigation of wastewater quality in screen printing facilities in Novi Sad. The experimental research includes two selected parameters: pH value and BOD. The measured pH values were in the range of maximum allowed values, but very high BOD values indicate dominant organic pollution. Determined BOD values of collected samples were in the range from 36 - 206 mg/1. These BOD values show great organic pollution of wastewater from screen printing facilities with biodegradable organic matter

Translation and validation of the Serbian version of the Skindex-29 instrument for measuring impact of skin disease on quality of life

The Skindex-29 instrument, which is intended for measuring the influence of skin diseases on quality of life, was developed and validated in several languages. However, a Serbian translation of the instrument is not available. The aim of this study was to translate the Skindex-29 from English to Serbian, to make necessary cultural adaptations, and to test its psychometric properties in a sample of outpatients with various skin diseases. The Skindex-29 was translated and adapted according to internationally accepted guidelines and then tested on a sample of Serbian outpatients with various skin diseases. Internal consistency was checked through calculation of Cronbach’s alpha and Interclass Correlation Coefficient for the instrument’s domains. The criterion validity of the translation was tested by correlating scores of domains with scores on the Serbian version of Dermatological Life Quality Index (DLQI).Validity of the construct was tested through comparison of the domains scores in groups of patients with different skin diseases. Fifty-three patients (18.6%) suffered from acne vulgaris, 48 (16.8%) from verrucae vulgares, 40 (14.0%) from psoriasis, 34 (11.9%) from an undetermined type of mild dermatitis, 20 (7.0%) from venous ulcers, 19 (6.7%) from eczema, and 71 (24.9%) from other skin diseases. The Serbian translation of Skindex-29 showed good internal consistency: Cronbach’s alpha for Emotional, Symptoms, and Functioning domains was 0.885, 0.752, and 0.901, respectively. Validity of the instrument in all aspects (criterion, content, and construct validity) was satisfactory, yet the Symptoms domain could not discriminate well between more and less severe skin diseases. The Serbian translation of Skindex-29 appears to be a reliable and valid specific instrument for measuring the adverse influence of skin diseases on quality of life. </p

Determination of Total and Individual Anthocyanins in Raspberries Grown in South Serbia

Raspberry fruits of four cultivars (Willamette, Meeker, Polana and Malling Promise) grown in South Serbia were analyzed for total and individual anthocyanins. High-performance liquid chromatography with diode array detection (HPLC-DAD) was used to study individual anthocyanins. The major anthocyanin was cyanidin-3-sophoroside, followed by cyanidin-3-glucosylrutinoside, cyanidin-3-glucoside, pelargonidin-3-sophoroside and cyanidin-3-rutinoside. The monomeric anthocyanin contents of the acidified 80% methanol extracts were determined using the pH-differential method. The highest total and individual anthocyanins contain raspberries cv. Willamette, followed by cvs. Meeker, Polana and Malling Promise

Acute or chronic stress induce cell compartment-specific phosphorylation of glucocorticoid receptor and alter its transcriptional activity in Wistar rat brain

Chronic stress and impaired glucocorticoid receptor (GR) feedback are important factors for the compromised hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal (HPA) axis activity. We investigated the effects of chronic 21 day isolation of Wistar rats on the extrinsic negative feedback part of HPA axis: hippocampus (HIPPO) and prefrontal cortex (PFC). In addition to serum corticosterone (CORT), we followed GR subcellular localization, GR phosphorylation at serine 232 and serine 246, expression of GR regulated genes: GR, CRF and brain-derived neurotropic factor (BDNF), and activity of c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) and Cdk5 kinases that phosphorylate GR. These parameters were also determined in animals subjected to acute 30 min immobilization, which was taken as ‘normal’ adaptive response to stress. In isolated animals, we found decreased CORT, whereas in animals exposed to acute immobilization, CORT was markedly increased. Even though the GR was predominantly localized in the nucleus of HIPPO and PFC in acute, but not in chronic stress, the expression of GR, CRF, and BDNF genes was similarly regulated under both acute and chronic stresses. Thus, the transcriptional activity of GR under chronic isolation did not seem to be exclusively dependent on high serum CORT levels nor on the subcellular location of the GR protein. Rather, it resulted from the increased Cdk5 activation and phosphorylation of the nuclear GR at serine 232 and the decreased JNK activity reflected in decreased phosphorylation of the nuclear GR at serine 246. Our study suggests that this nuclear isoform of hippocampal and cortical GR may be related to hypocorticism i.e. HPA axis hypoactivity under chronic isolation stress

Electrospun Nickel Manganite (NiMn2O4) Nanocrystalline Fibers for Humidity and Temperature Sensing

Nickel manganite nanocrystalline fibers were obtained by electrospinning and subsequent calcination at 400 degrees C. As-spun fibers were characterized by TG/DTA, Scanning Electron Microscopy and FT-IR spectroscopy analysis. X-ray diffraction and FT-IR spectroscopy analysis confirmed the formation of nickel manganite with a cubic spinel structure, while N-2 physisorption at 77 K enabled determination of the BET specific surface area as 25.3 m(2)/g and (BJH) mesopore volume as 21.5 m(2)/g. The material constant (B) of the nanocrystalline nickel manganite fibers applied by drop-casting on test interdigitated electrodes on alumina substrate, dried at room temperature, was determined as 4379 K in the 20-50 degrees C temperature range and a temperature sensitivity of -4.95%/K at room temperature (25 degrees C). The change of impedance with relative humidity was monitored at 25 and 50 degrees C for a relative humidity (RH) change of 40 to 90% in the 42 Hz pi 1 MHz frequency range. At 100 Hz and 25 degrees C, the sensitivity of 327.36 +/- 80.12 k omega/%RH was determined, showing that nickel manganite obtained by electrospinning has potential as a multifunctional material for combined humidity and temperature sensing

From Titania to Titanates: Phase and Morphological Transition

Regarding their extraordinary properties, such as biological and chemical sta- bility, photocatalytic activity, cost-effectiveness, the titanium-based nanoma- terials are the subject of an intense research. Although titania is well known as a photocatalyst, the titanates are promising candidates for the wide range of applications including ion exchange, high adsorption capacity toward or- ganic molecules and radioactive toxic metal ions[2], in photovoltaics, H- and Li-storage, gas sensors, etc. The hydrothermal process became a very import- ant way to obtain these materials in nanostructural form since the discovery of anatase-based alkaline hydrothermal treatment reported by Kasuga et al. [1]. In this work, nine products were obtained by modifying the experimental conditions (6, 12 and 18 h at 110, 135 and 160 °C) of hydrothermal treatment of starting nano- anatase in less alkaline medium (5 mol dm–3 NaOH solution) than usual. Specimens are labeled as TT–t, where T is temperature of the treatment and t is duration of the treatment. The step-by-step optimization of this simple and costless procedure was necessary in order to obtain a pure titanate phase and to finally distinguish the ti- tanates from titania in terms of structure and microstructure. The nanocrystalline samples were characterized by HRTEM/SAED, XRPD, EDS, TG, UV-VIS and BET techniques.According to XRPD and HRTEM, the complete conversion of anatase to pure titanate phase was achieved after energetically the most intensive treatment, i.e. 18 h at 160 °C. Among other products, a certain amount of anatase remained, with its decreasing content as the temperature and time of hydrothermal treatment increases. This increment significantly improves the solubility of TiO2 promoting the changes in morphology from the approximately spherical anatase nanoparticles into elongated titanate nanosheets (Fig. 1). Based on EDS and TG, the Na0.4H1.6Ti2O5·H2O formula could be assigned to T160_18. The HRTEM/SAED revealed the shortening of interplanar distances along aaxis because of the dehydratation due to the high vacuum of the TEM chamber and high energy of the electron beam irradiation confirming the layered structure of Na0.4H1.6Ti2O5·H2O (Fig. 2). Because of the poor characterization of titanate nanosheets found in literature, the optical and textural properties of products were also investigated. A blue shift toward lower wavelength is observed with the temperature increasing being the most pronounced for the T160_18 (Fig. 3). This is the consequence of full transformation of TiO2 into Na0.4H1.6Ti2O5·H2O. For the same reason, the values of specific surface areas decreased with the temperature increasing. As shown in this work, the structure, morphology and texture of samples strongly depend of the conditions of hydrothermal treatment. The production of single phase titanate and its detailed microscopic characterization finally allowed the clarification of long-standing confusion between titania and titanates. References: [1] T Kasuga et al, Langmuir 14 (1998), p. 3160. [2] Y Zhang et al, RSC Advances 5 (2015), p. 79479. [3] The authors acknowledge funding from the Ministry of Education, Science and Technological Development of the Republic of Serbia, Grant Numbers III45007 and III45019. The support of the bilateral cooperation with Slovenia is also gratefully acknowledged (Project No. 451-03-3095/2014-09/32)

RADIOACTIVITY ASSESSMENT OF NATURAL RADIONUCLIDES AND 137CS IN COMMONLY CONSUMED FOODS

The goal of this research is to determine the levels of natural and artificial radioactivity in 13 different samples of commonly consumed foods from Serbian markets. A gamma spectrometry was used to measure the activity concentrations of 226Ra, 232Th, 40K, and 137Cs. The annual whole-body doses from 137Cs and natural radionuclides, due to the consumption of tea for an adult, are in the range of 2.3-8.5 nSv for 137Cs, 14.1 - 21.7 nSv for 232Ra, 18.4 - 73.6 nSv for 232Th and for 40K 10.4 - 22.9 nSv. These doses are not harmful to the general public's health.Publishe

Identifikacija sojeva virusa crtičastog mozaika krompira na duvanu

Five viruses: Potato Virus Y (PVY), Tomato Spotted Wilt Virus, Cucumber Mosaic Virus, Tobacco Mosaic Virus and Alfalfa Mosaic Virus, of which PVY was predominant, were detected by serological testing of tobacco samples collected from many localities in Vojvodina in 2006. Viruses are the most important pathogens in tobacco and PVY causes considerable economic damages all over the world. A PVY population comprises several different strain groups, strain subgroups and recombinant strains. Among these, PVYN (necrotic strain) and PVYO (ordinary strain) cause the greatest yield and quality losses in tobacco. Identification of a prevalent strain in a PVY population is the basis of proper tobacco genotype selection for resistance against this significant virus. Typical symptoms caused by PVY were observed by monitoring tobacco crops in our country in 2006. The symptoms occurred as changes in the general plant appearance, as well as necrotic areas on leaves, petiols, stems and flowers. The initial symptoms of veinal necrosis were expanded throughout the leaf, causing reddish-brown (copper) plant color and premature death of lower leaves. Plants with these symptoms occurred in all monitored localities and their frequency was high. In order to understand various epidemiological aspects of the diseases caused by PVY and to prevent its occurrence and spreading in tobacco crops, it is necessary to properly identify this virus in time. Biological, serological and molecular identification of the virus and its prevalent strain was carried out in order to determine tobacco disease ethiology. The results obtained suggest that this prevalent strain of PVY has been spreading progressively in our country in recent years. Although PVYN is widely spread in tobacco crops in Europe, its destructiveness, disease intensity and wide distribution in Serbia were established only in the last two years. PVY necrotic strain was detected mainly in single infections, although it was also present in mixed infections with other tobacco viruses.Serološkim testiranjem uzoraka duvana prikupljenih u više lokaliteta u Vojvodini 2006. godine detektovani su Potato Virus Y (PVY), Tomato Spotted Wilt Virus, Cucumber Mosaic Virus, Tobacco Mosaic Virus i Alfalfa Mosaic Virus, pri čemu je PVY bio dominantan. Virusi su najznačajniji prouzrokovači oboljenja duvana, a virus crtičastog mozaika krompira (PVY) izaziva ekonomski značajne štete širom sveta. Populaciju PVY čini više različitih grupa sojeva, podgrupa u okviru određenog soja i sojeva nastalih rekombinacijom. Od opisanih, PVYN (nekrotični soj) i PVYO (obični soj) prouzrokuju najveće gubitke u prinosu i kvalitetu duvana. Poznavanje predominantnog soja u populaciji PVY osnova je pravilne selekcije genotipova duvana otpornih na ovaj značajan virus. Pregledom useva duvana u Srbiji tokom 2006. godine, uočeni su tipični simptomi koje izaziva PVY. Simptomi su se ispoljavali u vidu promena opšteg izgleda biljaka, kao i nekrotičnih promena na lišću, peteljkama, stablu i cvetu. Početni simptomi nekroze nerava su se širili i zahvatali celu lisku, usled čega su biljke dobile crvenkastosmeđu (bakarnu) boju, a donje lišće je prevremeno izumiralo. Biljke sa ovakvim simptomima javljale su se u svim pregledanim lokalitetima, a učestalost pojave bila je veoma visoka. Kako bi se razumeli razni epidemiološki aspekti oboljenja koje izaziva PVY i sprečila njegova pojava i širenje u usevu duvana, neophodna je pravilna i pravovremena identifikacija virusa. U cilju razjašnjavanja etiologije izvršena je biološka, serološka i molekularna identifikacija virusa i njegovog prevalentnog soja koji je očigledno u progresivnom širenju poslednjih godina na duvanu u našoj zemlji. Iako je PVYN široko rasprostranjen na duvanu u Evropi, destruktivnost, visok intenzitet zaraze i široka rasprostranjenost ustanovljeni su u Srbiji tek poslednje dve godine. Nekrotični soj PVY detektovan je uglavnom u pojedinačnim infekcijama, mada je, u manjoj meri, dokazan i u mešanim infekcijama sa drugim virusima duvana