Heavy metals concentration in soils from parks and green areas in Belgrade

The current study included the investigation of several metals and their distribution in urban soils from parks and green areas in the city of Belgrade. The soils were sampled in January and February 2008. The concentrations of Cd, Co, Cu, Pb, Mn and Zn were measured, as well as the pH values and organic matter contents. The obtained results showed that there was a significant level of contamination in some samples, especially with lead, and that it was most probably caused by anthropogenic activities, mostly from traffic. The results were compared with the National legislation and Netherlands standards. Also, the recent results were compared with the data from previous work and it was concluded that there has been a certain increase of the Pb concentration in the past three years. The level of pollution in playground soil was very high and each analyzed sample exceeded the Dutch target value for Cd, Co and Pb

Comparison of the morphological parameters of the face in a population with a full dental arch

Introduction: The analysis of facial parameters in young people with a full dental arch is an assessment of the representation of certain anthropological features in the Serbian geographical area, but also a starting point for their reconstruction after tooth loss in order to achieve the maximum therapeutic and aesthetic effect. Aim: The aim of the work was to measure and compare facial parameters among respondents with a complete dental arch. Material and methods: 91 dental students participated in the research, 32 (35.2%) male and 59 (64.8%) female. The average age of the respondents was 22.16±1.53 years. The length and width of the face were measured, as well as the vertical and horizontal parameters, and the facial index was calculated. Results: Men had a significantly longer (Z=4.567; p<0.001) and wider face (Z=5.962; p<0.001) compared to women. There was no significant difference in the face index between women and men (ch 2 =2.492; p=0.666). There was also no significant difference in the vertical analysis of the face according to gender (ch 2 =0.065; p=0.798). In the majority of subjects, the shorter middle third of the face was measured. In the case of the expected division of the lower third of the face, it exists in a significantly greater extent in males (ch 2 =5.989; p=0.014). In the majority of subjects, the intercanthal width corresponded to the width of the eye, in both sexes, without statistical significance. Further, in a significantly larger number of male and female respondents, it was determined that the bipupillary corresponds to the intercommissural distance. The interalar distance corresponding to the width of the eye was more significantly present in women (ch 2 =5.002; p=0.025). Conclusion: Measurement of facial parameters can significantly improve dental therapy by enabling optimal aesthetic performance

Sorption of different phenol derivatives on a functionalized macroporous nanocomposite of poly(glycidyl methacrylate-co-ethylene glycol dimethacrylate) and acid modified bentonite

Macroporous nanocomposite of poly(glycidyl methacrylate-co-ethylene glycol dimethacrylate) and acid modified bentonite was prepared by radical suspension copolymerization. Nanocomposite was functionalized with diethylenetriamine (DETA), by ring-opening reaction of the pendant epoxy groups. Functionalization was performed in order to enable phenol derivatives sorption. This new, not sufficiently investigated material, with developed porous structure was denoted CP-S-A-DETA. In this study, the influence of temperature on 4-nitrophenol (4NP) sorption on CP-S-A-DETA was investigated. The chemisorption was estimated as dominant process since activation energy of sorption of 4NP of 54.8 kJ mol(-1) was obtained. After determining the optimal sorption conditions for 4NP, the sorption of 2-nitrophenol (2NP) and 2-chloro-4-nitrophenol (2Cl4NP) on CP-S-A-DETA was investigated with respect to pH, initial concentration and contact time. The 2NP sorption was seldom tested, while according to our knowledge, the 2Cl4NP sorption was not investigated. The isotherm data were best fitted with Langmuir model, while the sorption dynamics obeyed the pseudo-second-order kinetic model for all derivatives

Anthropometric parameters and aesthetics in the making of fixed prosthodontic restaurations: Part 2

Introduction: The role of aesthetic dentistry in the field of fixed dental prosthetics is to redesign the smile, which means not only the treatment on the teeth, but also the treatment of the surrounding soft tissues. Successful therapy can be achieved by establishing the harmony between the static (teeth, gingiva) and dynamic factors (lips, cheeks, mimic muscles) at rest and when performing various functions of the orofacial system. The aim: of the study was to analyze the parameters of the oral soft tissues (gingival health, gingival height, gingival zeniths, lip line and symmetry and balance of the dentition) that affect the aesthetics of fixed prosthodontic restorations. Literature data and clinical experience were used. Conclusion: Adherence to the described parameters is of great importance in the development of aesthetic and functional fixed prosthetic restoration

Innovative Gold/Cobalt Ferrite Nanocomposite: Physicochemical and Cytotoxicity Properties

The combination of plasmonic material and magnetic metal oxide nanoparticles is widely used in multifunctional nanosystems. Here we propose a method for the fabrication of a gold/cobalt ferrite nanocomposite for biomedical applications. The composite includes gold cores of ~10 nm in diameter coated with arginine, which are surrounded by small cobalt ferrite nanoparticles with diameters of ~5 nm covered with dihydrocaffeic acid. The structure and elemental composition, morphology and dimensions, magnetic and optical properties, and biocompatibility of new nanocomposite were studied. The magnetic properties of the composite are mostly determined by the superparamagnetic state of cobalt ferrite nanoparticles, and optical properties are influenced by the localized plasmon resonance in gold nanoparticles. The cytotoxicity of gold/cobalt ferrite nanocomposite was tested using T-lymphoblastic leukemia and peripheral blood mononuclear cells. Studied composite has selective citotoxic effect on cancerous cells while it has no cytotoxic effect on healtly cells. The results suggest that this material can be explored in the future for combined photothermal treatment and magnetic theranostic

The emergence of non-secretory multiple myeloma during the non-cytotoxic treatment of essential thrombocythemia: A case report

Introduction. The emergence of multiple myeloma as a second malignancy in patients with essential thrombocythemia is extremely rare. Several cases have been published so far, pointing out the impact of a cytotoxic effect during treatment of essential thrombocythemia on the development of multiple myeloma. Case presentation. We report the case of a 52-year-old Caucasian man who presented to our hospital because of leukocytosis, a slightly decreased hemoglobin level and thrombocytosis. After a complete hematological work-up, essential thrombocythemia was diagnosed. The patient was included in a multicenter clinical study, treated with anagrelide and his platelet counts were maintained in the normal range for more than 3 years. A sudden drop in his hemoglobin level with normal leukocyte and platelet count occurred at the same time as a back pain. Magnetic resonance imaging of his spine revealed the existence of a pathological fracture of Th4, the collapse of the upper edge of Th7 and osteolytic lesions of multiple thoracic vertebrae. Repeated hematological examinations, including bone biopsy with immunohistochemistry, disclosed diagnosis of multiple myeloma of the non-secretory type. Conclusions: To the best of our knowledge this is the first published case in which multiple myeloma developed during the treatment of essential thrombocythemia with the non-cytotoxic drug anagrelide. Our attempts to find a common origin for the coexistence of multiple myeloma and essential thrombocythemia have not confirmed the genetic basis of their appearance. Further studies are needed to determine the biological impact of this coexistence

Impact of bee venom and melittin on apoptosis and biotransformation in colorectal carcinoma cell lines

This study provides data about anticancer properties of bee venom and its dominant compound, melittin on colorectal carcinoma cells (HCT-116 and SW-480) in regard to their proapoptotic activity and expression of genes involved in biotransformation process. Based on results, they are strong cytotoxins, where the melittin showed also selectivity against cancer cells compared to normal, HaCat. They induce proapoptotic activity by affecting apoptosis signaling molecules (Fas receptors, caspase 9, and members of Bcl-2 family of proteins) and mainly suppress expression of genes involved in their biotransformation, suggesting their ability to develop the resistance of colorectal cancer cells.Supplementary material: [https://cherry.chem.bg.ac.rs/handle/123456789/4975