Revealing the relationship between city size and spatial transformation of large housing estates in post-socialist Serbia

This paper considers the links between the city size and transformation of inherited socialist large housing estates within the process of post-socialist urban changes in Serbia. Based on the theoretical and contextual framework, we investigate the following: 1) whether there is a relationship between different city sizes and types, pace and intensity of large housing estates physical and functional transformations, and 2) which type(s) of transformation are dominant in different city size categories. To highlight the relationship, this research draws on the empirical evidence from cities which represent four city size categories in Serbia: Belgrade (capital city), Nis (second-tier city), Leskovac (third-tier city), and Bor (fourth-tier city). Research reveals that transformation of large housing estates is shaped by an unregulated urban environment, relaxed legal culture, and entrepreneurial attitudes of the local authorities to urban planning. Recognizing the power of specific local imperatives, the investigation indicates the interrelation between a certain city size and types and intensity of transformations - they are most diverse in the capital, while diversities decrease with the cities downsizing. Dominant transformation types also vary, reflecting the city categories and their economic power - those that require high/moderate investments and involve many actors dominate in the capital and the second-tier city, while the types based on small individual actions and investments dominate in the third and the fourth-tier city. This initial research aimed to create a platform for further investigation that will provide broader insights into this underrepresented issue and set the ground for urban regeneration strategies

CHARACTERISTICS OF MULTIFAMILY HOUSING DEVELOPMENT IN THE POST-SOCIALIST PERIOD: CASE STUDY, THE CITY OF NIŠ

The paper deals with characteristics of multifamily housing development (MHD) in specific conditions of post-socialist transition. Multi-layered political, institutional and socio-economic changes have influenced the change in the urban structure of cities, including housing areas. Time distance of thirty years from the beginning of transition in Serbia, gives us a good position to monitor and fully understand the effects of changes, including the last and longest-term phase of transitional process – urban changes. The development of multifamily housing is examined on the example of the city of Nis, a typical socialist industrial city that underwent dramatic changes in the post-socialist period and represent a good testing ground for transitional changes and their effects. The goal of the paper is to recognize different types of multifamily housing and the transitional changes that led to certain type of development and their spatial distribution in the city. The research suggests that multifamily housing development is especially influenced by privatization in the initial phase of transition, restitution in the later phase of transition, changing role of public and private sector in housing development, as well as changes in urban planning

Urban Transformations and Planning Strategies for Development of Large Housing Estates in the Post-Socialist Context: The Experience of The Baltic Countries

The fall of socialism and radical political changes in the 1990s established a new social, economic and cultural environment which shaped a new urban reality of the post-socialist city. One of them relates to inherited large housing estates (LHEs), one of the most striking spatial legacies of socialism whose future is considered as one of the key challenges in the urban development of the post-socialist city. National and local government’s responses to LHEs development can be recognized through different strategies and planning approaches. The paper discusses those that are characteristic of the Baltic countries - Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania. Their experience of adapting the strategies and urban policies to the EU development and planning context may be of importance for the institutional and planning environment in Serbia. Besides the conceptualization of the post-socialist urban and housing policy and their influence on the transformation of LHEs in the Baltic countries, the paper is organized around two key research aims: 1) to investigate the types and intensity of physical-functional transformation of LHEs in the Baltic largest cities through up-to-date research of current challenges and future prospects of LHEs; and 2) to investigate national and local governments response to LHEs development in the post-socialist context, i.e. to identify a major planning strategies. The research findings suggest that building- and place-based urban regeneration, rather than downsizing or even demolition of LHEs, is the sustainable strategies for their future development. Although a comprehensive regeneration strategy is seen as sustainable solution for Baltic countries context, there are still many challenges for its implementation. Possibilities and limitations for its application in the Baltic cities are reviewed in order to identify opportunities and obstacles for implementing a comprehensive regeneration strategy in the context of Serbia, for which it is a novelty

Ekološki dizajn otvorenih prostora u novim višeporodičnim stambenim područjima: kratak pregled iz baltičkih zemalja

After the political changes in the early 1990s, a new post-socialist reality was formed in the cities of the Baltic countries - Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania. It is characterized by changed institutional planning conditions, which are reflected in changes in housing and urban policy. New types of multi-family housing led by private investors are emerging, in which open spaces are treated in different approaches. One of them is eco-friendly approach, which brings with it numerous benefits. In order to recognize the possibility of its applying in our planning practice, the aim of this research is to examine the modes and benefits of applying eco-friendly open space design, based on analysis of selected multi-family housing estates of the Baltic cities

Development problems and potentials of rural settlements – case study of rural settlements on the territory of the city municipality Pantelej, Niš

In the Republic of Serbia, rural areas occupy a large part of the territory, where almost 50% of the total population lives. Rural areas play an important role in regional and overall development, they represent areas of great importance for food production and are characterized by landscapes with exceptional natural features. Despite the large number of potentials that characterize these areas, they are devastated, marginalized and backward in economic, social and spatial terms. The paper analyzes rural areas in the territory of the City municipality Pantelej in Niš with the aim of determining their development problems and potentials, which are the basis for defining future programs and projects for the revitalization of these areas. In order to plan comprehensive development for rural areas, it is necessary to determine the key development problems and potentials based on the analysis of all the structures of rural areas so that all their characteristics are considered. The conducted analysis concluded that the analyzed rural areas are currently in poor condition and that revitalization of all their structures is necessary in order to overcome the existing problems, improve the potentials that distinguish them and promote future development.http://casopisi.junis.ni.ac.rs/index.php/FUArchCivEng/article/view/1189

Small Shrinking Towns in the Post-Socialist Context of Development

The process of urban shrinkage is affecting many cities around the world. It is evident in small towns as well, but unlike larger cities, it has not received much attention. Accordingly, this paper analyses small towns’ shrinking focusing on post-socialist context of development, which led to new patterns of urban shrinkage in countries of Central and Eastern Europe (CEE). After discussing the specific characteristics of the shrinkage of small towns, their paths of development in different CEE countries are analyzed, in order to highlight the characteristics of urban shrinkage and the influence of post-socialist transition on this process. Thereafter, the shrinkage of small towns in Serbia is analyzed in order to determine whether the identified characteristics are recognized in them and to single out the specifics of that process in relation to other post-socialist countries. Based on the general characteristics of the development and shrinkage of small towns in the CEE countries, it can be concluded that shrinking small towns are not equally represented in all countries, and there are certain differences in terms of dynamics and intensity of shrinkage. The results of the analysis indicate that the previous path of development had a strong influence on their shrinkage after the post-socialist transformation. Three general trajectories of socialist development have been singled out, which influenced different patterns of urban shrinkage. In Serbia, it has also been observed that the shrinkage of small towns is directly related to the unfavourable direction of the urbanization process during socialist development

High efficiency of alphaviral gene transfer in combination with 5-fluorouracil in a mouse mammary tumor model

Copyright: Copyright 2014 Elsevier B.V., All rights reserved.Background: The combination of virotherapy and chemotherapy may enable efficient tumor regression that would be unachievable using either therapy alone. In this study, we investigated the efficiency of transgene delivery and the cytotoxic effects of alphaviral vector in combination with 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) in a mouse mammary tumor model (4 T1).Methods: Replication-deficient Semliki Forest virus (SFV) vectors carrying genes encoding fluorescent proteins were used to infect 4 T1 cell cultures treated with different doses of 5-FU. The efficiency of infection was monitored via fluorescence microscopy and quantified by fluorometry. The cytotoxicity of the combined treatment with 5-FU and alphaviral vector was measured using an MTT-based cell viability assay. In vivo experiments were performed in a subcutaneous 4 T1 mouse mammary tumor model with different 5-FU doses and an SFV vector encoding firefly luciferase.Results: Infection of 4 T1 cells with SFV prior to 5-FU treatment did not produce a synergistic anti-proliferative effect. An alternative treatment strategy, in which 5-FU was used prior to virus infection, strongly inhibited SFV expression. Nevertheless, in vivo experiments showed a significant enhancement in SFV-driven transgene (luciferase) expression upon intratumoral and intraperitoneal vector administration in 4 T1 tumor-bearing mice pretreated with 5-FU: here, we observed a positive correlation between 5-FU dose and the level of luciferase expression.Conclusions: Although 5-FU inhibited SFV-mediated transgene expression in 4 T1 cells in vitro, application of the drug in a mouse model revealed a significant enhancement of intratumoral transgene synthesis compared with 5-FU untreated mice. These results may have implications for efficient transgene delivery and the development of potent cancer treatment strategies using alphaviral vectors and 5-FU.publishersversionPeer reviewe

Fragile X mental retardation protein protects against tumour necrosis factor-mediated cell death and liver injury.

peer reviewed[en] OBJECTIVE: The Fragile X mental retardation (FMR) syndrome is a frequently inherited intellectual disability caused by decreased or absent expression of the FMR protein (FMRP). Lack of FMRP is associated with neuronal degradation and cognitive dysfunction but its role outside the central nervous system is insufficiently studied. Here, we identify a role of FMRP in liver disease. DESIGN: Mice lacking Fmr1 gene expression were used to study the role of FMRP during tumour necrosis factor (TNF)-induced liver damage in disease model systems. Liver damage and mechanistic studies were performed using real-time PCR, Western Blot, staining of tissue sections and clinical chemistry. RESULTS: Fmr1null mice exhibited increased liver damage during virus-mediated hepatitis following infection with the lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus. Exposure to TNF resulted in severe liver damage due to increased hepatocyte cell death. Consistently, we found increased caspase-8 and caspase-3 activation following TNF stimulation. Furthermore, we demonstrate FMRP to be critically important for regulating key molecules in TNF receptor 1 (TNFR1)-dependent apoptosis and necroptosis including CYLD, c-FLIPS and JNK, which contribute to prolonged RIPK1 expression. Accordingly, the RIPK1 inhibitor Necrostatin-1s could reduce liver cell death and alleviate liver damage in Fmr1null mice following TNF exposure. Consistently, FMRP-deficient mice developed increased pathology during acute cholestasis following bile duct ligation, which coincided with increased hepatic expression of RIPK1, RIPK3 and phosphorylation of MLKL. CONCLUSIONS: We show that FMRP plays a central role in the inhibition of TNF-mediated cell death during infection and liver disease

Clinical indications for image-guided interventional procedures in the musculoskeletal system: a Delphi-based consensus paper from the European Society of Musculoskeletal Radiology (ESSR)-part VII, nerves of the lower limb.

Funder: Università degli Studi di MilanoOBJECTIVES: To perform a Delphi-based consensus on published evidence on image-guided interventional procedures for peripheral nerves of the lower limb (excluding Morton's neuroma) and provide clinical indications. METHODS: We report the results of a Delphi-based consensus of 53 experts from the European Society of Musculoskeletal Radiology who reviewed the published literature for evidence on image-guided interventional procedures offered around peripheral nerves in the lower limb (excluding Morton's neuroma) to derive their clinical indications. Experts drafted a list of statements and graded them according to the Oxford Centre for evidence-based medicine levels of evidence. Consensus was considered strong when > 95% of experts agreed with the statement or broad when > 80% but < 95% agreed. The results of the Delphi-based consensus were used to write the paper. RESULTS: Nine statements on image-guided interventional procedures for peripheral nerves of the lower limb have been drafted. All of them received strong consensus. Image-guided pudendal nerve block is safe, effective, and well tolerated with few complications. US-guided perisciatic injection of anesthetic provides good symptom relief in patients with piriformis syndrome; however, the addition of corticosteroids to local anesthetics still has an unclear role. US-guided lateral femoral cutaneous nerve block can be used to provide effective post-operative regional analgesia. CONCLUSION: Despite the promising results reported by published papers on image-guided interventional procedures for peripheral nerves of the lower limb, there is still a lack of evidence on the efficacy of most procedures. KEY POINTS: • Image-guided pudendal nerve block is safe, effective, and well tolerated with few complications. • US-guided perisciatic injection of anesthetic provides good symptom relief in patients with piriformis syndrome; however, the addition of corticosteroids to local anesthetics still has an unclear role. • US-guided lateral femoral cutaneous nerve block can be used to provide effective post-operative regional analgesia. The volume of local anesthetic affects the size of the blocked sensory area

KLJUČNI RAZVOJNI PROBLEMI I POTENCIJALI RURALNIH NASELJA, PRIMER RURALNIH NASELJA NA TERITORIJI GRADSKE OPŠTINE PANTELEJ, NIŠ

In the Republic of Serbia, rural areas occupy a large part of the territory, where almost 50% of the total population lives. Rural areas play an important role in regional and overall development, they represent areas of great importance for food production and are characterized by landscapes with exceptional natural features. Despite the large number of potentials that characterize these areas, they are devastated, marginalized and backward in economic, social and spatial terms. The paper analyzes rural areas in the territory of the City municipality Pantelej in Niš with the aim of determining their development problems and potentials, which are the basis for defining future programs and projects for the revitalization of these areas. In order to plan comprehensive development for rural areas, it is necessary to determine the key development problems and potentials based on the analysis of all the structures of rural areas so that all their characteristics are considered. The conducted analysis concluded that the analyzed rural areas are currently in poor condition and that revitalization of all their structures is necessary in order to overcome the existing problems, improve the potentials that distinguish them and promote future development.U Republici Srbiji ruralna područja zauzimaju veliki deo teritorije na kojoj živi skoro 50% ukupnog stanovništva. Ruralna područja imaju značajnu ulogu u regionalnom i ukupnom razvoju, predstavljaju područja od velikog značaja za proizvodnju hrane i odlikuju ih predeli sa izuzetnim prirodnim karakteristikama. I pored velikog broja potencijala koji karakterišu ova područja, ona su devastirana, marginalizovana i zaostala u ekonomskom, socijalnom i prostornom smislu. U radu se analiziraju ruralna područja na teritoriji Gradske opštine Pantelej u Nišu sa ciljem utvrđivanja njihovih razvojnih problema i potencijala, koji su osnova za definisanje budućih programa i projekata revitalizacije ovih područja. Da bi se planirao sveobuhvatan razvoj ruralnih područja, neophodno je utvrditi ključne razvojne probleme i potencijale na osnovu analize svih struktura ruralnih područja kako bi se sagledale sve njihove karakteristike. Sprovedenom analizom utvrđeno je da su analizirana ruralna područja trenutno u lošem stanju i da je neophodna revitalizacija svih njihovih struktura kako bi se prevazišli postojeći problemi, unapredili potencijali koji ih karakterišu i pospešio budući razvoj