Chemical content and oxidative potential of respirable particulate matter in urban and in industrial environments

U ovoj disertaciji ispitan je hemijski sastav i oksidativni potencijal (OP) dve frakcije respirabilnih čestica (PM2.5 i PM10), u različitim sredinama. Za utvrĎivanje sezonskih promena, prvo istraţivanje sprovedeno je u urbanoj (UB) i urbano-industrijskoj (UI) sredini tokom leta i zime. Kako bi se ispitale promene OP-a tokom dana, drugo istraţivanje sprovedeno je u urbanoj sredini pod uticajem saobraćaja. Rezultati prvog istraţivanja ukazuju da su prosečne koncentracije obe ispitivane frakcije čestica, u UB i UI, bile vrlo slične tokom leta. Tokom zime, u UB koncentracije PM2.5 bile su tri puta više, a PM10 dvostruko više u odnosu na koncentracije izmerene u UI. U obe ispitivane sredine, tokom obe sezone, PM2.5/PM10 odnos bio je visok, što ukazuje na značajan udeo finih čestica u gruboj frakciji, koje prvenstveno imaju antropogeno poreklo. Dominantnu vrstu u obe frakcije čestica, kao i u obe ispitivane sredine, činila je organska materija, čiji je procenat varirao u zavisnosti od godišnjeg doba. Prosečni OC/EC odnosi, kao i koncentracije WSOC-a, u obe frakcije čestica, bili su značajno viši tokom zimskog perioda u UB, što je posledica prisustva velike količine sekundarnih organskih aerosola. Prosečne koncentracije jonskih vrsta i 22 kvantifikovana elementa, tokom obe sezone, bile su više u UI. Primenom DTT i DCFH eseja, u obe ispitivane sredine, više vrednosti OP-a utvrĎene su za PM2.5, a primenjeni eseji pokazali su suprotne trendove. U obe ispitivane sredine, primenom DTT eseja, OP vrednosti bile su više tokom letnjeg perioda, dok su DCFH esejom više vrednosti utvrĎene tokom zime. U drugom istraţivanju, najveća količina ROS-ova izmerena je oko 14 h, što moţe biti posledica maksimalne količine saobraćaja ili velikog doprinosa SOA. Umerena, statistički značajna korelacija utvrĎena je izmeĎu BPEAnit i DCFH eseja, što ukazuje na veću toksičnost koja potiče od organskih vrsta prisutnih u vazduhu. Kombinovanjem rezultata više eseja preciznije je utvrĎen kvalitet vazduha u različitim sredinama, što predstavlja osnovu za detekciju konkretnih izvora zageĎanja.In this dissertation, the chemical content and oxidative potential (OP) of two fractions of respirable particles (PM2.5 and PM10) were examined in different еnvironments. The first study was conducted in urban (UB) and urban-industrial (UI) environments during summer and winter to determine the seasonal changes. The second study was conducted in an urban environment influenced by the traffic to examine the differences in OP during the day. The results of the first study indicate that the average concentrations of both analyzed particle fractions, in UB and UI, were very similar during the summer. During the winter, PM2.5 levels in UB were three times higher and PM10 twice as high as in UI level. In both examined environments, during both seasons, the PM2.5/ PM10 ratio was high, which indicates a significant contribution of fine particles in the coarse fraction, which are primarily of anthropogenic origin. In both examined environments, the dominant particle fraction was the organic matter, the percentage of which varied depending on the season. Average OC/EC ratios, as well as WSOC concentrations, in both particle fractions, were significantly higher during the winter period in UB, due to the presence of a large amount of secondary organic aerosols. The average concentrations of ion species and 22 quantified elements, during both seasons, were higher in the UI. Using DTT and DCFH assays, in both examined environments, higher OP values were determined for PM2.5, and the applied assays showed opposite trends. In both urban environments, using DTT assays, OP values were higher during the summer period, while DCFH assays were higher values determined during the winter. In another study, the largest amount of ROS was measured around 2 p.m., which may be due to maximum traffic or a significant contribution from SOA. A moderate, statistically significant correlation was found between BPEAnit and DCFH assays, indicating higher toxicity derived from organic species present in the air. By combining the results of several essays, the air quality in different environments was more precisely determined, which is the basis for the detection of specific sources of pollution

THE ROLE OF INTERNAL REPORTING FOR MANAGEMENT DECISIONS OF PUBLIC HOSPITALS

The purpose of this paper is to research the usage of internal cost accounting reporting system at public hospitals in Croatia, Slovenia and Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina based on a case study of three public hospitals. It also highlights the importance of internal reports for public hospitals. The research based on the interviews was conducted in the 2018 in one Croatian, one Slovenian and in one public hospital in the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina. The interviews were done with accountants and financial officers in public hospitals in all three countries with main aim to examine does public hospitals use possibilities of internal cost accounting reporting system, for what purposes and do they reflect in decision process of management in public hospitals. Results of conducted empirical research has shown that internal cost accounting reporting systems are insufficiently developed due to the accounting framework and poor accounting information system and that are not used in for management decisions. Authors pointed out guidelines regarding future development and usage of internal cost accounting reporting systems in the context of management decisions at public hospitals

Immunohistochemical prognostic biomarkers in diffuse large B cell lymphoma

Difuzni B krupnoćelijski limfom (DBKL) je najčešći limfoidni tumor i čini oko 30-40% svih non-Hodgkin limfoma (NHL) kod odraslih, sa petogodišnjim preživljavanjem oko 50%. Difuzni B krupnoćelijski limfom je bolest sa značajnom kliničkom, morfološkom, genetskom i molekularnom heterogenošću. Uprkos različitim kliničkim, morfološkim i molekularnim parametrima koji se koriste u klasifikaciji humanih maligniteta danas, pacijenti sa identičnom dijagnozom imaju značajno različit klinički tok bolesti i odgovor na terapiju. Iako je u poslednje dve decenije postignut značajan napredak u terapiji, dodavanjem rituximab-a standardnoj hemioterapiji, ishod bolesti je fatalan za skoro polovinu pacijenata sa DBKL. Mnoge studije su ispitivale prognostičke faktore koji bi predvideli preživljavanje i optimizovale terapijsku strategiju kod pacijenata sa DBKL. Do sada, samo se Internacionalni Prognostički Indeks (IPI), rutinski koristi kao prediktor preživljavanja kod bolesnika sa DBKL. Cilj našeg istraživanja je bio da se utvrdi klinički značaj i prognostička vrednost imunofenotipskih profila DBKL, baziranog na konceptu porekla ćelije (na osnovu algoritma Hans i saradnika): GCB i non-GCB, kao i analiza korelacije ovih grupa sa IPI, onkogenim, proliferativnim i markerima uključenim u apoptozu. Takođe, cilj je bio analiza ekspresije onkogenih, proliferativnih i markera uključenih u apoptozu i njihova korelacija sa ishodom bolesti. Analizirali smo imunohistohemijsku ekspresiju CD20, CD79α, CD3, CD5, CD10, bcl-2, bcl-6, MUM-1, CD138, CD30, HLA-DR, Survivin, BAX, p53, MYC i Ki 67 na parafinskim uzorcima biopsija 115 pacijenata sa DBKL koji su dijagnostikovani i lečeni na Institutu za Hematologiju Kliničkog Centra Srbije u Beogradu u periodu od 2000-2006. godine. Metoda fluorescentne in situ hibridizacije za MYC i bcl-2 urađena je na 67 uzoraka primenom metode tkivnog mikroniza (tissue microarray -TMA). Grupa analiziranih bolesnika je bila relativno mlada, sa posečnom starošću od 56 godina. Na prezentaciji, 85 (74%) pacijenata je bilo u III i IV kliničkom stadijumu, a 30 (26%) u I i II kliničkom stadijumu. Visok IPI je bio prisutan kod 54 (47%) pacijenta, B simptome je imalo 90 (78%), a povišenu LDH 74 (65%) pacijenta. U analiziranoj grupi pacijenata bilo je 106 (92,17%) DBKL NOS, (103 centroblastni, 1 imunoblastni, 2 anaplastična), 4 (3,47%) T ćelijama /histiocitima bogat B limfom, 2 (1,73%) primarna medijastinalna, 2 (1,73%) primarna DBKL centralnog nervnog sistema i 1 (0,86%) intravaskularni...Diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) is the most common lymphoma with significant clinical, morphologic, immunohistochemical, and molecular heterogeneity. In the last two decades there has been a significant improvement in the outcome of these patients after the addition of rituximab to the standard chemotherapy. Despite major advances in treatment of DLBCL, approximately one third of patients progress or die, suggesting the existence of additional oncogenic events. By now, only the International Prognostic Index (IPI), based on 5 independent clinical and laboratory parameters, was routinely used as a predictor of survival. However, a substantial variability in outcome has been observed despite IPI subgroups. The aim of the study was to identify new immunohistochemical prognostic biomarkers in diffuse large B cell lymphoma and to evaluate the prognostic value of the immunohistochemical (IHC) algorithm based on the cell-of-origin (COO) concept, and BCL2 and MYC protein expression and gene alterations in DLBCL patients treated with CHOP or R-CHOP chemotherapy, and to correlate these parameters with IPI. We analyzed immunohistochemical expression of CD20, CD79α, CD3, CD5, CD10, bcl-2, bcl-6, MUM-1, CD138, CD30, HLA-DR, Survivin, BAX, p53, MYC and Ki 67 on paraffin-embedded formaline fixed tumor samples from 115 patients with DLBCL, diagnosed and treated at the Clinic for Haemathology, Clinical Center of Serbia, over a five year period. Fluorescence in Situ hybridization for MYC and BCL2 gene alterations was performed on 67 samples using TMA. The cohort consisted of relatively young patients with a median age of 56 years. High IPI was present in 54 (47%) patients, advanced Ann Arbor stage (III-IV) in 85 (74%), B-symptoms in 90 (78%), and high serum LDH levels in 74 (65%) patients. In the cohort, there were 106 (92,17%) DLBCL NOS, (103 centroblastic, 1 immunoblastic, 2 anaplastic), 4 (3,47%) T cell rich B lymphoma, 2 (1,73%) mediastinal large B cell lymphoma, 2 (1,73%) CNS lymphoma and 1 (0,86%) intravascular type. DLBCL with centroblastic morphology (103), were selected to provide morphological homogeneity of the cases, and according to the Hans algorithm, a GCB phenotype was observed in 28 (27%) and non-GCB in 75 (72%) cases. Forty six (44,66%) patients received CHOP or CHOP- like therapy, and 57 (55,33%) patients received R-CHOP therapy..

Role of adenosine monophosphateactivated protein kinase and protein kinase B (PKB) in neurotoxic damage induced by 1-methyl-4-phenylpyridinium in vitro

Parkinsonova bolest (PB) je drugo po učestalosti neurodegenerativno oboljenje, koje karakteriše progresivna degeneracija i smrt dopaminergičkih (DA) neurona substantiae nigrae (SN) pars compacta, koji učestvuje u kontroli pokreta. Iako je etiologija PB u velikoj meri i dalje nedovoljno razjašnjena, rezultati brojnih eksperimentalnih studija, ukazali su da bi oksidativni stres, disfunkcija mitohondrija i ćelijskih sistema uključenih u homeostazu proteina, mogli biti odgovorni za degeneraciju i smrt DA neurona u SN. Ispitivanje uticaja neurotoksina MPP+ na neurone, je do danas ostao jedan od najznačajnijih modela za proučavanje molekularnih mehanizama oštećenja i smrti neurona. Cilj ovog istraživanja je bio da se ispita uloga oksidativnog stresa, kao i signalnih puteva unutarćelijsog energetskog senzora, adenozin monofosfatom aktivirane kinaze (AMPK), protein kinaze B/Akt - medijatora rasta i preživljavanja ćelija, autofagije, kao i njihovih interakcija, u modelu oštećenja neurona delovanjem MPP+. Istraživanje je sprovedeno na modelu ćelijske linije humanog neuroblastoma SH-SY5Y. Primena MPP+ je dovela do dozno i vremenski-zavisnog pada vijabiliteta i fragmentacije DNK, kome su prethodili porast oslobađanja superoksidnog anjona i depolarizacija unutrašnje mitohondrijalne membrane, kao i rana aktivacija signalnih puteva AMPK i Akt kinaze. Primena antioksidanasa, N-acetil cisteina ili butiliranog hidroksianizola, dovela je do delimičnog smanjenja citotoksičnog delovanja MPP+, koji je bio praćen padom nivoa aktivacije AMPK i Akt kinaze. Genska ili farmakološka inhibicija AMPK kinaze rezultirala je povećanom osetljivošću ćelija na MPP+, uz smanjenje aktivacije Akt kinaze, dok je farmakološka aktivacija AMPK rezultirala poboljšanim preživljavanjem ćelija tretiranih MPP+ toksinom. U uslovima farmakološke ili genske inhibicije Akt kinaze, ćelije su ispoljavale veću osetljivost na štetno dejstvo MPP+ toksina, uz povećanu produkciju superoksidnog anjona. Imunoblot analiza uticaja MPP+ na aktivnost mTOR signalnog puta, najvažijeg regulatora autofagije u ćeliji, pokazala je da MPP+ indukuje kasnu inhibiciju mTOR kompleksa 1 (mTORC1), kao i porast prevođenja proteina LC3-I (engl. Microtubule associated protein 1 light chain 3, LC3) u oblik vezan za autofagozome, LC3-II, što ukazuje na indukciju mTORC1-zavisne autofagije...characterized by the progressive degeneration and demise of the dopaminergic (DA) neurons in the substantia nigra (SN) pars compacta, part of the midbrain. Even though the etiology of PD is still insufficiently elucidated, research results implicate that oxidative stress, mitochondrial dysfunction and impairment of proein homeostasis cellular play an important role in DA neurons' degeneration and cell death. The MPP+ neurotoxic model has been widely used in study of molecular mechanismsm of neuronal demise in PD. The aim of this study was to assess the interaction between the signaling pathways of the main intracellular energy sensor, adenosine monophosphate activated kinase (AMPK), prosurvival protein kinase B/Akt, oxidative stress and autophagy in the effect of parkinsonian neurotoxin 1-methyl-4-phenyl piridinium (MPP+) The study was conducted on SH-SY5Y human neuroblastoma cell line. MPP+ caused the dose- and time- dependent decrease in cell viability and DNA fragmentation, preceded by increase in superoxide production (2 h) and subsequent inner mitochondrial membrane depolarization (8 h), accompanied by early activation of AMPK and Akt signaling pathways. The reactive oxygen species (ROS) scavengers, Nacetyl- L-cysteine and butylated hydroxyanisole partially alleviated the MPP+-induced cell death, causing decrease in phosphorylation levels of both AMPK and protein kinase B/Akt. Pharmacological or genetic AMPK inhibition further potentiated MPP+-induced ROS production and cell death, and diminished Akt phosphorylation, whereas AMPK activation exerted protective effects against MPP+-induced toxicity. Nevertheless, pharmacological or genetic inactivation of Akt caused an increase in MPP+-initiated oxidative stress and neurotoxicity, but failed to affect AMPK activation. Furthernore, MPP+ treatment at later time-points (16-24 h) inhibited the main autophagy repressor, mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR), which was accompanied by the increased levels of the autophagy marker, microtubule-associated protein 1 light-chain 3B. On the other hand, the concentration of a selective autophagic target, sequestosome-1/p62, were increased in MPP+-treated cells, while levels of lysosomal-associated membrane protein 1 and cytoplasmic acidification were reduced, which suggested that MPP+- induced autophagy was associated with a decrease in autophagic flux..

Endoscopically removed giant submucosal lipoma

Background. Although uncommon, giant submucosal colon lipomas merit attention as they are often presented with dramatic clinical features such as bleeding, acute bowel obstruction, perforation and sometimes may be mistaken for malignancy. There is a great debate in the literature as to how to treat them. Case report. A patient, 67-year old, was admitted to the Clinic due to a constipation over the last several months, increasing abdominal pain mainly localized in the left lower quadrant accompanied by nausea, vomiting and abdominal distension. Physical examination was unremarkable and the results of the detailed laboratory tests and carcinoembryonic antigen remained within normal limits. Colonoscopy revealed a large 10 cm long, and 4 to 5 cm in diameter, mobile lesion in his sigmoid colon. Conventional endoscopic ultrasound revealed 5 cm hyperechoic lesion of the colonic wall. Twenty MHz mini-probe examination showed that lesion was limited to the submucosa. Since polyp appeared too large for a single transaction, it was removed piecemeal. Once the largest portion of the polyp has been resected, it was relatively easy to place the opened snare loop around portions of the residual polyp. Endoscopic resection was carried out safely without complications. Histological examination revealed the common typical histological features of lipoma elsewhere. The patient remained stable and eventually discharged home. Four weeks later he suffered no recurrent symptoms. Conclusion. Colonic lipomas can be endoscopically removed safely eliminating unnecessary surgery

Nova prizorišča učenja v učečih se mestih – javna pedagogika ter državljanska vzgoja in izobraževanje

Although the concept of learning cities and the idea of learning being place-based and focused on a region, city, town or community have existed for a long time, it is UNESCO’s work that gave the impetus to the practice, helping to create and spread the network of Learning Cities worldwide. One of the main characteristics of the current concept is the leading role of the local government and partnership with policy makers. The paper challenges this feature with the example of cities that are “rebelling” against the local or national government, but do have learning at the core of their activities. The example of Belgrade is described in detail, where various civic actions (protests, ‘guerrilla’ actions, active participation in public discussions) are analysed from the point of view of public pedagogy. The theory of Gert Biesta and his conception of the public sphere as a space for civic action as well as Elizabeth Ellsworth’s ideas on the active creation of space are the framework in which civic actions are interpreted as important kinds of learning. Lefebvre’s concept of the “right to the city” is also applied. In this way, the whole concept of learning cities might be broadened to include cities without a harmonious relationship with its policy makers, but with strong civic movements and civic actions as a kind of non-formal learning in public spaces.Čeprav koncept učečih se mest in ideja o učenju, ki je osredinjena na prostor, torej regijo, mesto ali skupnost, obstajata že dolgo časa, je Unesco to prakso spodbudil ter pomagal ustvariti in razširiti mrežo učečih se mest po vsem svetu. Vodilna vloga lokalnih oblasti in partnerski odnos z oblikovalci politik je ena od poglavitnih značilnosti obstoječega koncepta učečih se mest, vendar v članku prek primerov učečih se mest, ki se »upirajo« lokalni ali nacionalni vladi, ob tem pa imajo v središču svojih dejavnosti učenje, spodbijamo nujnost te značilnosti za nastanek učečega se mesta. Podrobno je opisan primer Beograda in različne oblike državljanskega delovanja (protesti, »gverilsko« delovanje, aktivno sodelovanje v javnih razpravah) v tem mestu, ki so analizirane z vidika javne pedagogike. Okvir, v katerem je državljansko delovanje interpretirano kot pomemben način učenja, tvorita teorija Gerta Bieste z njegovim konceptom javne sfere kot prostora državljanskega delovanja in ideja Elizabeth Ellsworth o aktivnem ustvarjanju prostora. Prav tako je uporabljen Lefebvrov koncept »pravice do mesta«. Na ta način je mogoče idejo učečih se mest razširiti tudi na mesta, v katerih odnosi z oblikovalci politik niso harmonični, obstajajo pa močna državljanska gibanja in državljansko delovanje kot oblika neformalnega učenja v javni sferi

The Role of Human Resource Practices on Profits Generated by the Innovations: The Role of Top Management Support and Regularity of Employees Meetings

Previous scholars argue that human resource practices advance valuable knowledge what could be reflected positively on innovations. Accordingly, we empirically investigate whether human resource related practices such as top management support and regularity of employees meetings are related to profit generated by the innovation activities. Using survey data of Montenegrin firms, we find that firms in which top management supports employees’ idea and have regular employees meetings related to innovation activities are likely to report higher profit generated by innovations. Therefore, our results underline the crucial role of human resource practices in the process of innovation that generates profitability for firms. This work is licensed under a&nbsp;Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License.</p

The Role of Human Resource Practices on Profits Generated by the Innovations: The Role of Top Management Support and Regularity of Employees Meetings

Previous scholars argue that human resource practices advance valuable knowledge what could be reflected positively on innovations. Accordingly, we empirically investigate whether human resource related practices such as top management support and regularity of employees meetings are related to profit generated by the innovation activities. Using survey data of Montenegrin firms, we find that firms in which top management supports employees’ idea and have regular employees meetings related to innovation activities are likely to report higher profit generated by innovations. Therefore, our results underline the crucial role of human resource practices in the process of innovation that generates profitability for firms. This work is licensed under a&nbsp;Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License.</p

Passive smoking effect on the oxidative stress at children suffering from bronchial asthma

It is assumed that high prevalence of asthma is consequently affected by the environmental factors, uncovering preexisting susceptibility, by the activation of local tissue specific operative genes with activation of inflammation in airways, involving the participation of oxidative stress. In that way can be explained the influence of close connected environmental factors, such as tobacco smoke exposure, which contributes to the development of asthma. The aim of our study is to examine the effects of passive smoking on oxidative stress in chronic inflammation of air ways, in mild and moderate persistent asthma, children aged 7-18. The study includes 110 children (80 of these with asthma and 30 healthy children). The asthmatics were divided into groups depending on tobacco smoke exposure and also taking into account the status of applied corticosteroid therapy one month before including them into the study. In vein blood samples in all participants were determined the presence of cotinine, carboxyhaemoglobin levels, thiobarbuturate acid reactive substances, the activity of super oxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase, levels of C reactive protein, the number of leucocytes and the percent of eosinophiles in peripheral blood. In exhaled air, nitric oxide level was determined, followed by the functional lung examination by spirometry, and the allergologic tests were done to most frequent inhalatory allergens using prick test. According to obtained results, it is concluded that in asthmatics persists elevated oxidative stress and eosinophile inflammation in lungs, while passive smoking and corticosteroid therapy have no effects on the level of thiobarbuturate acid reactive substances, but they have effect on antioxidative capacity of examined enzymes. In passive smoking asthmatics without corticosteroid therapy, the super oxide dismutase activity was significantly lower. In passive smoking asthmatics with corticosteroid therapy, the glutathione peroxidase was a significantly lower activity . This study confirms a significant role of passive smoking reduction as a prevention from the asthma development in children

Source apportionment of oxidative potential: What we know so far

In numerous epidemiological studies, exposure to particulate matter (PM) has been associated with negative health outcomes. It has been established so far that the detrimental health effects of particles cannot be explained by a single parameter, such as particle mass, as the complexity of chemical composition and reactivity of particles are not always represented by the mass loadings. The oxidative potential (OP) of aerosol particles represents a promising indicator of their potential toxicity. To develop strategies and regulations at improving the air quality, an increasing number of studies are focused on the application of source apportionment (SA) of PM., while a limited number of SA investigations have been applied to OP. In this review previous research of SA of atmospheric PM OP and proposed guidelines for future studies are summarized. Most of the research studies were carried out in an urban area and focused on PM2.5, while few studies examined other PM fractions. It was noted that the three dominant contributors to OP were biomass burning (9-97%), secondary aerosols (6-67%), and traffic/vehicles (16-88%). The presence of other factors that contributed to the in-crease of OP to a lesser extent depended on the location and season. Further, a considerable discrepancy in the contribution of various OP vs. PM sources was discovered using SA models. Because of this, the use of SA is not equivalent when considering the mass of PM and its toxicity