The Governance of Citizenship Practices in the Post-Yugoslav States: The Impact of Europeanisation. European Politics and Society.

Published online: 09 July 2015This Introduction explains the origins of the project of exploring citizenship and citizenship-related issues in the framework of Europeanisation in the new states in South East Europe. It defines the terminology used in the contributions and explains the conceptual underpinnings of the project and the structure of the edited collection. Finally, these introductory remarks also give an overview of the contributions to the special issue of Perspectives on European Politics and Societies entitled, 'The governance of citizenship practices in the post-Yugoslav states: The impact of Europeanisation.

EVALUATION OF KINETIC PARAMETERS AND REDOX MECHANISM OF QUINOXALINE AT GLASSY CARBON ELECTRODE

The electrochemical behavior of a biologically important heterocyclic compound quinoxaline (QUI) was investigated by cyclic voltammetry (CV) in solutions of differing pH, using a glassy carbon electrode (GCE). The reduction of QUI occurs as a quasi-reversible reaction in acid medium, reaching reversibility in alkaline solutions. The kinetic parameters of the electrode process such as αnα, diffusion coefficient (D) and heterogeneous rate constant (ks), were evaluated and discussed. Redox mechanism of QUI was proposed on the basis of experimental results. Reduction process involves a transfer of two electrons and two protons at the pyrazine ring of QUI forming a dihydro-derivative. In acid solutions, the product of QUI reduction undergoes irreversible oxidation in a one-electron process. The electrode processes was found to be diffusion controlled. ODREĐIVANJE KINETIČKIH PARAMETARA I ISPITIVANJE REDOKS MEHANIZMA HINOKSALINA NA ELEKTRODI OD STAKLASTOG UGLJENIKA Elektrohemijsko ponašanje biološki značajnog heterocikličnog jedinjenja hinoksalina (QUI) ispitivano je cikličnom voltametrijom (CV) u rastvorima različitih pH vrednosti, korišćenjem electrode odstaklastog ugljenika. Redukcija QUI u kiseloj sredini se odigrava kao kvazi-reverzibilna reakcija, koja u baznoj sredini postaje reverzibilna. Određeni su i razmatrani kinetički parametric elektrodnog procesa kao što su koeficijent αnα, difuzioni koeficijent (D) i konstanta brzine (ks). Na osnovu eksperimentalnih rezultata predložen je mehanizam elektrodne reakcije. U procesu redukcije adiraju se dva elektrona i dva protona na pirazinski prsten hinoksalina i nastaje njegov dihidro derivat. Proizvod redukcije hinoksalina u kiseloj sredini se dalje oksiduje. Ovaj process oksidacije je difuziono kontrolisan, ireverzibilan i odigrava se uz učešće jednog elektrona i jednog protona

High Interleukin 27 Production is Associated with Early Clinical Stage and Localized Disease in Patients with Melanoma

Background: The immune response in patients with melanoma is an important focus of research due to the tumor's resistance and immunotherapy possibilities. IL-27 is one of the cytokines with antitumor properties. The role of IL-27 in the pathogenesis of melanoma is still unclear. The aim of this study was to examine the association between serum IL-27 levels and the clinical parameters of melanoma patients. Methods: The IL-27 concentration was determined by commercial ELISA in serum samples from melanoma patients (n=72) and healthy control subjects (n=44). Patients were classified according to AJCC clinical stage, TNM stage, the length of progression-free interval (PFI) and the extent of the disease (localized or widespread). Results: Average IL-27 values were increased in patients with early stages of melanoma compared to patients with terminal stages and control values. The highest IL-27 concentration was found in stage Ila. Patients in stages III and IV had significantly lower values of IL-27 compared to control. Patients with localized melanoma and shorter PFI had insignificantly increased IL-27 levels compared to patients with widespread disease and longer PFI. Patients with metastatic disease and stage TNM4 had significantly lower average IL-27 values compared to control. Patients with high production of IL-27 (>1000 pg/mL) were most numerous in Ila AJCC stage, with initial tumor size TNM2 and in the group of patients with localized disease. Conclusions: High levels of IL-27 in patients with melanoma are associated with the initial stages and localized disease

Modulators of Tumor Angiogenesis: Insights into the Role of Galectin-3 and IL-17 Signaling

Angiogenesis is a pivotal point in tumor progression driven by firmly orchestrated process of forming the new blood vessels relying on the complex signaling network. Here, the pleiotropic functions of Galectin-3 and IL-17 in tumor progression have been overviewed through their impacts on angiogenesis. As a key player in tumor microenvironment, Galectin-3 orchestrates practically all critical events during angiogenic cascade through interaction with various ligands and their downstream signaling pathways. Galectin-3 shapes chronic inflammatory tumor microenvironment that is closely related to angiogenesis by sharing common signaling cascades and molecules. In chronic inflammatory makeup of tumor microenvironment, IL-17 contributes to tumorigenesis and progression via promoting critical events such as angiogenesis and creation of immunosuppressive milieu. VEGF, as the master regulator of tumor angiogenesis, is the main target of Galectin-3 and IL-17 action. The better understanding of Galectin-3 and IL-17 in tumor biology will undoubtedly contribute to controlling tumor progression. Therefore, as important modulators of tumor angiogenesis, Galectin-3 and IL-17 may be perceived as the potential therapeutic targets in tumor including anti-angiogenic therapy

Preparation and characterization of clay-based porous ceramics with boric acid as additive

Intention of this work was to obtain porous silicon dioxide ceramics by using boric acid as an inexpensive additive at low forming pressure and low sintering temperature. Starting raw material, smectite clay from surface coal mine Kolubara, Serbia, was purified from organic and inorganic impurities by using heat and chemical treatment. Boric acid was used as binding and sintering aid in amount of 0.5, 1 and 2 wt%. Powder was compacted by using different pressures: 40, 60 and 80 MPa. Pressed samples were sintered at 850, 1000, 1150, and 1300 degrees C for 4 h in air. A relatively high porosity of nearly 40% is obtained for the samples pressed at 40, 60 and 80 MPa and sintered at 1000 degrees C. Median pore size diameters are in the range of macroporous up to 0.2 mu m and 10 mu m in the samples sintered at 1150 and 1300 degrees C, respectively. X-ray diffraction (XRD), scaning electron microscopy (SEM), and porosimetry measurements were employed to characterize the phases and microstructure of the obtained ceramics. The relations between mechanical characteristics of samples (Young modulus and Poisson ratio) and content of boric acid were studied

The two faces of galectin-3: Roles in various pathological conditions

© 2016, University of Kragujevac, Faculty of Science. All rights reserved. Galectin-3, a unique chimaera-type member of the lectin family, displays a wide range of activities. This versatile molecule is involved in fundamental biological processes, including cell proliferation, cell-cell adhesion, apoptosis and immune responses. This review is aimed at providing a general overview of the biological actions and diverse effects of Galectin-3 in many pathological conditions, with a specific focus on autoimmunity, inflammation and tumour progression. We report herein that Galectin-3 exerts deleterious functions determined by promotion of tumour progression and liver inflammation or aggravation of T cell-mediated autoimmune diseases. On the other hand, Galectin-3 exhibits a protective role in metabolic abnormalities and primary biliary cirrhosis. The paradoxical yin and yang functions of Galectin-3 depend not only on its tissue and cellular localization but also on its availability, glycosylation status and the expression level of its ligands

The Two Faces of Galectin-3: Roles in Various Pathological Conditions

Galectin-3, a unique chimaera-type member of the lectin family, displays a wide range of activities. This versatile molecule is involved in fundamental biological processes, including cell proliferation, cell-cell adhesion, apoptosis and immune responses

Influence of temperature and dopant concentration on structural, morphological and optical properties of nanometric Ce1-xErxO2-delta (x=0.05-0.20) as a pigment

Ceramic pigments based on cerium oxide were synthesized by self-propagating room temperature method and their color properties were assessed from the viewpoint of potential environmentally nontoxic pink pigments. Thermal stabilities of the pigments were examined at 600, 900 and 1200 degrees C. According to X-ray powder diffraction and Raman spectroscopy results, all obtained pigments were singlephase solid solutions of cerium oxide, independent of the concentration of dopants. The X-ray analysis showed that the crystallites were of nanometric dimensions, as recorded and by transmission electron microscopy analysis. Color characteristics of solid solutions, which depended on concentration erbium ions and calcination temperature, and their position in the chromaticity diagram were studied by ultraviolet visible spectrophotometry, which confirmed potential application of environmentally friendly pigments of desired color. The color efficiency of pigments was also evaluated by calorimetric analysis.Accepted version: [http://cer.ihtm.bg.ac.rs/handle/123456789/3174

The Potential of Frog Skin-Derived Peptides for Development into Therapeutically-Valuable Immunomodulatory Agents

The aim of this article is to review the immunoregulatory actions of frog skin-derived peptides in order to assess their potential as candidates for immunomodulatory or anti-inflammatory therapy. Frog skin peptides with demonstrable immunomodulatory properties have been isolated from skin secretions of a range of species belonging to the families Alytidae, Ascaphidae, Discoglossidae, Leptodactylidae, Pipidae and Ranidae. Their effects upon production of inflammatory and immunoregulatory cytokines by target cells have been evaluated ex vivo and effects upon cytokine expression and immune cell activity have been studied in vivo by flow cytometry after injection into mice. The naturally-occurring peptides and/or their synthetic analogues show complex and variable actions on the production of proinflammatory (TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-12, IL-23, IL-8, IFN-γ and IL-17), pleiotropic (IL-4 and IL-6) and immunosuppressive (IL-10 and TGF-β) cytokines by peripheral and spleen cells, peritoneal cells and/or isolated macrophages. The effects of frenatin 2.1S include enhancement of the activation state and homing capacity of Th1-type lymphocytes and NK cells in the mouse peritoneal cavity, as well as the promotion of their tumoricidal capacities. Overall, the diverse effects of frog skin-derived peptides on the immune system indicate their potential for development into therapeutic agents

Gray level co-occurrence matrix and wavelet analyses reveal discrete changes in proximal tubule cell nuclei after mild acute kidney injur

Acute kidney injury (AKI) relates to an abrupt reduction in renal function resulting from numerous conditions. Morbidity, mortality, and treatment costs related to AKI are relatively high. This condition is strongly associated with damage to proximal tubule cells (PTCs), generating distinct patterns of transcriptional and epigenetic alterations that result in structural changes in the nuclei of this epithelium. To this date, AKI-related nuclear chromatin redistribution in PTCs is poorly understood, and it is unclear whether changes in PTC chromatin patterns can be detected using conventional microscopy during mild AKI, which can progress to more debilitating forms of injury. In recent years, gray level co-occurrence matrix (GLCM) analysis and discrete wavelet transform (DWT) have emerged as potentially valuable methods for identifying discrete structural changes in nuclear chromatin architecture that are not visible during the conventional histopathological exam. Here we present findings indicating that GLCM and DWT methods can be successfully used in nephrology to detect subtle nuclear morphological alterations associated with mild tissue injury demonstrated in rodents by inducing a mild form of AKI through ischemia–reperfusion injury. Our results show that mild ischemic AKI is associated with the reduction of local textural homogeneity of PTC nuclei quantified by GLCM and the increase of nuclear structural heterogeneity indirectly assessed with DWT energy coefficients. This rodent model allowed us to show that mild ischemic AKI is associated with the significant reduction of textural homogeneity of PTC nuclei, indirectly assessed by GLCM indicators and DWT energy coefficients