Influence of environmental variables on zooplankton development in the Danube River

Cilj ovog istraživanja bio je utvrditi utjecaj okolišnih parametara na razvoj zooplanktona tijekom različitih godišnjih doba. Uzorci su prikupljeni na rijeci Dunav mjesečnom dinamikom tijekom 2011. godine. Zabilježene su dvije vrste rašljoticalaca i tri vrste veslonožaca. Najveća brojnost planktonskih rakova zabilježena je u ljetnom (1,12 ind/L), a najmanja u jesenskom razdoblju (0,58 ind/L). Iz skupine rašljoticalaca pronađene su Bosmina longirostris (O.F. Müller, 1785) i Sida crystallina (O.F. Müller, 1776). Iz skupine veslonožaca pronađene su vrste Acanthocyclops vernalis (Fisher, 1853), Cyclops vicinus (Sars, 1863) i Thermocyclops crassus (Fisher, 1853) te razvojni stadiji nauplii i kopepoditi. Istraživanjem je utvrđeno da mjereni okolišni čimbenici imaju različit utjecaj na razvoj i strukturu planktonskih rakova ovisno o godišnjem dobu. Najveći utjecaj imali su temperatura, koncentracija dušika i električna provodljivost.The aim of this study was to investigate the influence of different environmental variables on zooplankton development during different seasons. Samples were collected monthly from the Danube River during 2011. Two cladoceran and three copepod species were recorded. The maximum abundance of crustacean zooplankton was recorded in summer (1,12 ind/L) while minimum abundance was recorded in autumn (0,58 ind/L). Among cladocerans Bosmina longirostris (O.F. Müller, 1785) and Sida crystallina (O.F. Müller, 1776) were recorded while among copepods Acanthocyclops vernalis (Fisher, 1853), Cyclops vicinus (Sars, 1863) and Thermocyclops crassus (Fisher, 1853) with juvenile copepods (nauplii and copepodites) were recorded. The present study defined that measured environmental variables have a different effect on growth and structure of crustacean zooplankton concerning different seasons. Major environmental variables influencing crustacean zooplankton were temperature, nitrogen concentration and conductivity

Influence of environmental variables on zooplankton development in the Danube River

Cilj ovog istraživanja bio je utvrditi utjecaj okolišnih parametara na razvoj zooplanktona tijekom različitih godišnjih doba. Uzorci su prikupljeni na rijeci Dunav mjesečnom dinamikom tijekom 2011. godine. Zabilježene su dvije vrste rašljoticalaca i tri vrste veslonožaca. Najveća brojnost planktonskih rakova zabilježena je u ljetnom (1,12 ind/L), a najmanja u jesenskom razdoblju (0,58 ind/L). Iz skupine rašljoticalaca pronađene su Bosmina longirostris (O.F. Müller, 1785) i Sida crystallina (O.F. Müller, 1776). Iz skupine veslonožaca pronađene su vrste Acanthocyclops vernalis (Fisher, 1853), Cyclops vicinus (Sars, 1863) i Thermocyclops crassus (Fisher, 1853) te razvojni stadiji nauplii i kopepoditi. Istraživanjem je utvrđeno da mjereni okolišni čimbenici imaju različit utjecaj na razvoj i strukturu planktonskih rakova ovisno o godišnjem dobu. Najveći utjecaj imali su temperatura, koncentracija dušika i električna provodljivost.The aim of this study was to investigate the influence of different environmental variables on zooplankton development during different seasons. Samples were collected monthly from the Danube River during 2011. Two cladoceran and three copepod species were recorded. The maximum abundance of crustacean zooplankton was recorded in summer (1,12 ind/L) while minimum abundance was recorded in autumn (0,58 ind/L). Among cladocerans Bosmina longirostris (O.F. Müller, 1785) and Sida crystallina (O.F. Müller, 1776) were recorded while among copepods Acanthocyclops vernalis (Fisher, 1853), Cyclops vicinus (Sars, 1863) and Thermocyclops crassus (Fisher, 1853) with juvenile copepods (nauplii and copepodites) were recorded. The present study defined that measured environmental variables have a different effect on growth and structure of crustacean zooplankton concerning different seasons. Major environmental variables influencing crustacean zooplankton were temperature, nitrogen concentration and conductivity

Koncentracija arsena i teških metala u tkivu puževa

The aim of this study was to determine arsenic and heavy metal concentrations (lead, mercury, copper, cadmium, zinc, iron and manganese) in snail tissues (foot and digestive gland) obtained from snail farms in Serbia (near urban areas). Snail samples were analysed using atomic absorption spectrophotometry. A total of 730 individual snail samples were included in this study. Snails were packed into plastic bags and transported to the laboratory at the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Belgrade. The levels of arsenic and mercury in the examined snail tissues were below the detection limit of the analytical method. Concentrations of heavy metals were higher in digestive gland tissues than in foot tissues.Cilj ovog ispitivanja bio je utvrđivanje koncentracije arsena i teških metala (olova, žive, bakra, kadmijuma, cinka, gvožđa i mangana) u tkivima puževa (stopalo i digestivni trakt) poreklom sa odabranih farmi u Srbiji (u blizini urbanih područja). Uzorci puževa su analizirani pomoć u atomskog apsorpcionog spektrofotometra. U ovu studiju uključeno je ukupno 730 pojedinačnih uzoraka puževa. Uzorci su upakovani u plastične kese, dopremljeni u laboratoriju Veterinarskog fakulteta, Univerziteta u Beogradu. Nivo arsena i žive u ispitivanim uzorcima puževa bio su ispod granice detekcije analitičke metode. Koncentracija teških metala bila je već a u digestivnom tkivu u poređenju sa koncentracijom teških metala u stopalu puževa

Varicella complications: Is it time to consider a routine varicella vaccination?

Background/Aim. Varicella is a common and benign disease of childhood. Complications are rare, but in some patients, even without risk factors, severe, life threatening complications could be seen. The aim of this study was to establish the type and frequency of varicella complications among hospitalized patients over an 8-year period. Methods. This retrospective analysis included medical charts of the patients hospitalized in the Infectious Disease Clinic, Belgrade, Serbia, from 2001-2008 (4.85% of all registered patients with varicella in Belgrade, 2001-2008). Among hospitalised patients dermografic characteristics were analyzed: hospitalisation lenght, presence and type of complications, presence of immunocompromising conditions and outcome of the disease. The diagnosis of varicella was made on clinical grounds, and in persons > 40 years, with negative epidemiological data of contacts, serological confirmation (ELISA VZV IgM/IgG BioRad®) and avidity of IgG antibodies were done to exclude the possibility of disseminated herpes zoster. Results. A total of 474 patient were hospitalized over an 8-year period. The age of patients was from 5 months to 75 years (mean 22.4 ± 16.1, median 23.5 years). The majority of patients were adults (n = 279; 58.9%) and 195 (41.1%) patients were ≤ 15 years old. Complications were found in 321/474 (67.7%) patients. The registered complications were: varicella pneumonia (n = 198; 41.38%), bacterial skin infections (n = 40; 8.4%), cerebelitis (n = 28; 5.9%), bacterial respiratory infection (n = 21; 4.4%), viral meningitis (n = 10; 2.31%), encephalitis (n = 9; 1.9%), thrombocytopenia (n = 2; 0.4%); 11 (2.3%) patients had more than one complication, among them were sepsis, myopericarditis and retinal hemorrhages. When complications were analyzed according to the age, there were no statistical significance, but when type of complication was analyzed statistical significance was found (p < 0.05). In adults, pneumonia was the most common complication: 173/279 (62%), followed by skin infections (2.9%), bacterial respiratory infections (2,2%), and more than one complication (2.3%). Pneumonia was more common in adults than in children (7 : 1). In children skin infections were the most common complications (16.4%), followed by cerebelitis (13.3%), viral pneumonia (12.8%), bacterial respiratory infections (7.7%), encephalitis (3.6%), and more than one complication (4.1%). Neuroinfections were more common in children than in adults (6:1), as well as bacterial skin infections (4 : 1). Two patients died (0,4%). Conclusion. There was no difference in the incidence of varicella complication in children and adults, but the type of complication differed. In children the most common complications were skin and neurological infections, while in adults it was varicella pneumonia. These data provide a baseline for estimating the burden of varicella in Belgrade and support the inclusion of varicella vaccine in childhood immunisation program in Serbia

Isolation of Borrelia lusitaniae from the blood of a patient with multiple erythema migrans

Tropical Diseases of the University Clinical Centre of Serbia with a clinical presentation of disseminated erythema migrans. The patient and the mother could not recall if there had been a tick bite. A sample of blood was taken, and antibiotic therapy with amoxicillin was started immediately. Human serum sample was checked for the presence of IgM antibody against Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato by commercial ELISA test and the sample was positive for IgM. Blood was collected into the sterile K2EDTA tube, immediately transported to the Laboratory at the Institute for Medical Research, National Institute of the Republic of Serbia, University of Belgrade, and centrifuged twice at 2200 rpm for 17 min at room temperature. After centrifugation, one part of the serum was served for DNA extraction using ammonium hydroxide, ethanol, and sodium acetate while the sediment was inoculated into a 6 mL tube with Barbour-Stoenner-Kelly-H (BSK-H) medium under aseptic conditions and incubated as 33°C. After 16 days of incubation, viable, motile, and spiral-shaped microorganisms were observed in the initial BSK-H culture under dark-field microscopy, and incubation was prolonged for 29 days. DNA from the culture was extracted using centrifugation, dissolving the sediment in the water, and heating at 95°C for 10 minutes. After extracting DNA from the human serum and the culture, rrf-rrl rDNA intergenic spacer and flagellin gene (flaB) were amplified by conventional PCR, and sequencing of obtained PCR products was performed commercially (Macrogen, Amsterdam, the Netherlands). After analysis of the sequences obtained, Borrelia lusitaniae was confirmed in human serum and culture. This is the first isolate of B. lusitaniae from a human blood sample that confirms that B. lusitaniae can disseminate via the hematogenous route

IL-28B genotypes as predictors of long-term outcome in patients with hepatitis C-related severe liver injury

Introduction: Patients with severe fibrosis or cirrhosis are at high risk for liver-related complications, even after successful antiviral treatment and/or regression of fibrosis. These are the first published results concerning the role of IL-28B genotypes as predictors of the durability of sustained virological response (SVR) and long-term outcome, in patients with baseline severe fibrosis and cirrhosis caused by hepatitis C (HCV) infection. Methodology: Genetic testing for three different single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) near the IL28B gene, rs12979860, rs12980275 and rs8099917, was performed in 42 patients with HCV-related advanced fibrosis and cirrhosis, who achieved SVR after successful interferon-based treatment. Baseline clinical and laboratory parameters were analysed, as well as IL28B genotype association with late virological relapse, fibrosis progression and clinical outcomes. Results: The most prevalent genotypes in all three tested SNP positions were: CCrs12979860 genotype in 69% of patients, GT(rs)(8099917) in 78.6% and GG(rs)(12980275) in 47.6% of patients. The presence of IL28B CCrs12979860 genotype was identified as a negative predictor of late virological relapse. Further analysis did not confirm the association of other IL28B genotypes with the progression of fibrosis and clinical outcomes. Conclusions: Varying long-term prognosis in patients with HCV-related severe fibrosis and cirrhosis is due to multiple interactions between host genetic factors, virus and environment. These are first published results demonstrating the significance of IL28B CCrs12979860 genotype as a negative predictor of late virological relapse. A further investigation concerning genetic factors is necessary to identify patients under risk for late relapse, complications and unfavorable outcomes, so that they can be reevaluated and offered new treatment options

INFLUENCE OF TEMPERATURE EXTREMES ON ZOOPLANKTON DEVELOPMENT DURING THE SPRING – SUMMER PERIOD

Planktonski rakovi zauzimaju ključni trofički poloţaj unutar slatkovodne hranidbene mreţe, a njihov razvoj ovisan je o temperaturi. Cilj provedenog istraţivanja bio je utvrditi imaju li zabiljeţene normalne i ekstremne temperature u proljetnom (travanj – lipanj) i ljetnom razdoblju (srpanj – rujan) 2012., 2013. i 2016. godine utjecaj na kvalitativni i kvantitativni sastav zajednice planktonskih rakova u jezeru Sakadaš (Park prirode Kopački rit). Uzorci vode za hidrobiološke analize prikupljeni su iz površinskog sloja jezera Sakadaš mjesečnom dinamikom. Struktura zajednice zooplanktona opisana je indeksima, a vrijednosti mjerenih fizikalno – kemijskih čimbenika usporeĎene su statistički primjenom t-testa i jednosmjerne analize varijance. Zajednicom rašljoticalaca dominirale su manje forme, dok su zajednicom veslonoţaca dominirali ciklopoidni veslonošci i njihovi razvojni stadiji. Brojnost i biomasa planktonskih rakova značajno su se razlikovale izmeĎu proljeća i ljeta pri čemu su veće vrijednosti zabiljeţene u proljeće. Istraţivanjem je utvrĎeno da temperatura utječe na sezonske sukcesije i moţe doprinositi meĎugodišnjim varijabilnostima u sastavu zajednice, no značajniji je indirektan utjecaj kroz dostupnost hranjivih tvari i predaciju. Istovremeno s temperaturom značajan utjecaj su imali prozirnost, koncentracija klorofila a te koncentracija dušika.Microcrustacean zooplankton constitutes a major component of freshwater food webs and their development depends on temperature. The aim of this study was to determine whether the recorded normal and extreme temperatures have an impact on the qualitative and quantitative composition of the microcrustacean community in Lake Sakadaš (Kopački rit Nature Park) during spring (April – June) and summer (July – September) of 2012., 2013. and in 2016. Water samples for hydrobiological analyses were collected monthly from the upper layer of Lake Sakadaš. The structure of the zooplankton community was described using indexes and the values of the measured physico – chemical parameters were compared using a statistical application of the t-test and one – way ANOVA. Small forms dominated in the cladoceran community, while cyclopoid copepods with juvenile forms were dominant in the copepod community. The abundance and biomass were significantly different between spring and summer with higher numbers recorded in spring. The present study found an impact of temperature on seasonal succession and contribution to interannual variability in community structure and an indirect impact through nutrient availability and predation. Simultaneously with the temperature, transparency, chlorophyll – a concentration and nitrogen concentration influenced the microcrustacean zooplankton community

INFLUENCE OF TEMPERATURE EXTREMES ON ZOOPLANKTON DEVELOPMENT DURING THE SPRING – SUMMER PERIOD

Planktonski rakovi zauzimaju ključni trofički poloţaj unutar slatkovodne hranidbene mreţe, a njihov razvoj ovisan je o temperaturi. Cilj provedenog istraţivanja bio je utvrditi imaju li zabiljeţene normalne i ekstremne temperature u proljetnom (travanj – lipanj) i ljetnom razdoblju (srpanj – rujan) 2012., 2013. i 2016. godine utjecaj na kvalitativni i kvantitativni sastav zajednice planktonskih rakova u jezeru Sakadaš (Park prirode Kopački rit). Uzorci vode za hidrobiološke analize prikupljeni su iz površinskog sloja jezera Sakadaš mjesečnom dinamikom. Struktura zajednice zooplanktona opisana je indeksima, a vrijednosti mjerenih fizikalno – kemijskih čimbenika usporeĎene su statistički primjenom t-testa i jednosmjerne analize varijance. Zajednicom rašljoticalaca dominirale su manje forme, dok su zajednicom veslonoţaca dominirali ciklopoidni veslonošci i njihovi razvojni stadiji. Brojnost i biomasa planktonskih rakova značajno su se razlikovale izmeĎu proljeća i ljeta pri čemu su veće vrijednosti zabiljeţene u proljeće. Istraţivanjem je utvrĎeno da temperatura utječe na sezonske sukcesije i moţe doprinositi meĎugodišnjim varijabilnostima u sastavu zajednice, no značajniji je indirektan utjecaj kroz dostupnost hranjivih tvari i predaciju. Istovremeno s temperaturom značajan utjecaj su imali prozirnost, koncentracija klorofila a te koncentracija dušika.Microcrustacean zooplankton constitutes a major component of freshwater food webs and their development depends on temperature. The aim of this study was to determine whether the recorded normal and extreme temperatures have an impact on the qualitative and quantitative composition of the microcrustacean community in Lake Sakadaš (Kopački rit Nature Park) during spring (April – June) and summer (July – September) of 2012., 2013. and in 2016. Water samples for hydrobiological analyses were collected monthly from the upper layer of Lake Sakadaš. The structure of the zooplankton community was described using indexes and the values of the measured physico – chemical parameters were compared using a statistical application of the t-test and one – way ANOVA. Small forms dominated in the cladoceran community, while cyclopoid copepods with juvenile forms were dominant in the copepod community. The abundance and biomass were significantly different between spring and summer with higher numbers recorded in spring. The present study found an impact of temperature on seasonal succession and contribution to interannual variability in community structure and an indirect impact through nutrient availability and predation. Simultaneously with the temperature, transparency, chlorophyll – a concentration and nitrogen concentration influenced the microcrustacean zooplankton community

Photosynthetic Efficiency in Flag Leaves and Ears of Winter Wheat during Fusarium Head Blight Infection

Fusarium head blight (FHB) is one of the most serious fungal diseases of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.). It causes major reduction of grain yield and quality, while the safety of wheat products is at risk due to mycotoxin contaminations. To contribute to a better understanding of mechanisms governing more efficient defense strategies against FHB, an evaluation of photosynthetic efficiency was performed during different phases of infection, i.e., before visual symptoms occur, at the onset and after the development of disease symptoms. Six different winter wheat varieties were artificially inoculated with the most significant causal agents of FHB (Fusarium graminearum and F. culmorum) at two different locations. Photosynthetic efficiency was assessed in flag leaves and ears of inoculated and untreated (control) plants based on measurements of chlorophyll a fluorescence rise kinetics and the calculation of JIP-test parameters. Obtained results indicate that the response of wheat to Fusarium infection includes changes in photosynthetic efficiency which can encompass alternating reductions and increases in photosynthetic performance during the course of the infection in both flag leaves and ears. FHB-induced photosynthetic adjustments were shown to be somewhat variety-specific, but location was shown to be a more significant factor in modulating the response of wheat to Fusarium infection. Changes in chlorophyll a fluorescence rise kinetics could be detected prior to visible symptoms of the disease. Therefore, this method could be applied for the early detection of Fusarium infection, particularly the analysis of L-band appearance, which showed a similar response in all inoculated plants, regardless of variety or location

Krimska Kongo hemoragijska groznica: prikaz porodičnih epidemija

Uvod. Krimska Kongo hemoragijska groznica (KKHG) je akutna, virusna,prirodno-žarišna zoonoza, koja se u prirodnim uslovima prenosi na čovekaubodom nekih vrsta iksoidnih krpelja i interhumano. Klinički se ispoljavafebrilnim toksično-infektivnim sindromom sa izraženim hemoragijamarazličitih lokalizacija i intenziteta.U radu su prikazani bolesnici lečeni odKrimske-Kongo hemoragijske groznice u Klinici za infektivne bolesti Kliničkobolničkog centra u Prištini.Prikazi porodičnih epidemija. U toku lečenja bolesnika obolelih od KKHGzabeleženo je 6 porodičnih epidemija. U četiri su obolela po dva člana porodice,u jednoj četiri i u jednoj šest članova. Bolest se manifestovala visokomtemperaturom i hemoragijama različitih lokalizacija. U porodičnoj epidemijiu kojoj je obolelo šest članova, kao i u epidemiji u kojoj su obolela četiri člana,letalni ishodi su zabeleženi kod indeksnih bolesnika. Dijagnoza je postavljenana osnovu epidemioloških parametara, kliničke slike i seroloških analiza.Zaključak. Krimsku Kongo hemoragijsku groznicu karakteriše pojava febrilnostii hemoragija, a javlja se sporadično ili u manjim, najčešće porodičnimepidemijama. Od velikog je epidemiološkog značaja mogućnost interhumanetransmisije