Prevention and Treatment of Diabetic Nephropathy with Vitamin D

The number of people suffering from diabetes mellitus, especially Type 2 diabetes mellitus, is increasing every year. Approximately one-third of the patients with diabetes mellitus will develop diabetic nephropathy and chronic kidney disease. Diabetic nephropathy represents the main cause of end-stage renal disease. Vitamin D deficiency is often present in patients with diabetes mellitus and could present a risk factor for a higher incidence of cardiovascular events. Vitamin D supplementation could have a renoprotective effect and the potential to delay occurrence and slow down the progression of diabetic nephropathy. The renoprotective effect is reflected in better glycoregulation, reduction of proteinuria and proinflammatory cytokines, and improved lipid regulation. New research shed the light on the important role of vitamin D in reducing renal fibrosis and stabilization of podocyte function. If we take into consideration the cost of end-stage renal disease treatment and the quality of life of patients on dialysis, any delay in end-stage renal disease is significant

Disorders of Sleep and Motor Control During the Impaired Cholinergic Innervation in Rat – Relevance to Parkinson’s Disease

The medical profession has been generally very slow to acknowledge the importance of sleep medicine and sleep research. Disorders of sleep are related to anxiety, many mental and neurodegenerative diseases, cardiovascular and respiratory disorders, and obesity

In vitro interaction between Agrimonia eupatoria L. extracts and antibiotic

Synergistic activity between water, acetone, ethanol and diethyl ether extract of Agrimonia eupatoria L. and commonly used antibiotic (ampicillin) were evaluated. Escherichia coli, Proteus mirabilis, Klebsiella pneumoniae and Pseudomonas aeruginosa were used. Interaction between plant extracts and antibiotic were tested by checkerboard method and expressed as fractional inhibitory concentration (FIC) index showed indifferent, additive and synergistic effects. Synergism was observed against E. coli for every combination of agents. FICI values were ranged from 0.03 to 0.29. Inhibitory concentration (IC50) was evaluated for every combination of tested extracts and antibiotic and the best combinations for every tested bacteria were combination of diethyl ether extract + ampicillin and combination of acetone extract + ampicillin

Quality assessment, antimicrobial activity organic sunflower honey and use of Maldi-tof mass spectrometry for the identification bacteria isolated from honey

The aim of this study was to investigate the physicochemical parameters of quality, microbiological safety and antimicrobial potential of four samples of organic sunflower honey from the Banat area (northeastern Serbia). Humidity, ash, pH, free acidity, electrical conductivity, hydroxymethylfurfural content, sugar content and diastase activity were measured. Microbiological analysis revealed the presence of total aerobic mesophilic bacteria, coliforms, aerobic endospores, lactic acid bacteria (LAB) and a good number of molds and yeasts. The isolate identification was carried out using Matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS). The antimicrobial effect of organic sunflower honey was investigated on five ATCC strains of bacteria: Staphilococcus aureus ATCC 29213; Escherichia coli ATCC 25922; Salmonella enterica ATCC 10708; Yersinia enterocolitica ATCC 23715; and Bacillus subtilis ATCC 23857. The results of the study showed that all honey samples meet international quality standards for all physicochemical parameters. Microbiological analysis of Sunflower honey confirmed the total bacterial counts for all samples ranged from1.80 to 1.85 x10-2cfu/g-1, whereby no presence Clostridium spp., coliform bacteria, as well as molds was detected. Investigation of the antimicrobial activity of honey samples revealed that all bacteria showed clear zones of inhibition in honey concentrations of 40-100%, which is a satisfactory result for flower honey

Autologous Serum Eye Drops for Post-Chemical Injuries and Corneal Epithelial Defects

Aim: To evaluate success rate (efficacy, safety) in treatment of post-chemical injuries and corneal defects using autologous serum eye drops.Material and Methods: Authors reviewed 93 patients (116 eyes) hospitalized in Clinic of ophthalmology from 2010 to 2013, who had post-causoma corneal defects that were nonresponsive to conventional treatment and were treated with serum therapy. Authors correlated time of epithelialization of defects with rate of epithelial healing.Results: Authors investigated 93 patients (52 males, 41 females; aged 18 - 74) for treatment of corneal defects. Application of autologous serum therapy 56 (48.28%) of 116 eyes was healed in an average time of 4 weeks. Among 116 eyes, epithelial defects healed in 4 (3.45%) within 1 week, in additional 17 (14.65%) in 1-2 weeks, totalling 31 (26.72%) within 3 weeks. Five eyes (4.31%) completely healed at 5 week; three eyes (2.59%) had subsequent healing of epithelial defect at 6 week; 56 eyes completely healed within one month, and the remaining eight eyes healed within 1.5 month.Conclusion: Using serum therapy, it was managed to reduce time of healing from eleven weeks, which were necessary just couple years ago (before 2010) to four (maximum six) weeks to complete healing which are necessary today

Short communication: Pepino mosaic virus, a new threat for Serbia’s tomatoes

Aim of study: To report the occurrence of Pepino mosaic virus (PepMV) on tomato in Serbia and to genetically characterize Serbian PepMV isolates.Area of study: Tomato samples showing virus-like symptoms were collected in the Bogojevce locality (Jablanica District, Serbia).Material and methods: Collected tomato samples were assayed by DAS-ELISA using antisera against eight economically important or quarantine tomato viruses. Three selected isolates of naturally infected tomato plants were mechanically transmitted to tomato ‘Novosadski jabučar’ seedlings. For confirmation of PepMV infection, RT-PCR was performed using specific primers PepMV TGB F/PepMV UTR R. Maximum-likelihood phylogenetic tree was constructed with 47 complete CP gene sequences of PepMV to determine the genetic relationship of Serbian PepMV isolates with those from other parts of the world.Main results: The results of DAS-ELISA indicated the presence of PepMV in all tested samples. Mechanically inoculated ‘Novosadski jabučar’ seedlings expressed yellow spots and light and dark green patches, bubbling, and curled leaves. All tested tomato plants were RT-PCR positive for the presence of PepMV. The CP sequence analysis revealed that the Serbian PepMV isolates were completely identical among themselves and shared the highest nucleotide identity of 95.1% (99.2% aa identity) with isolate from Spain (FJ263341). Phylogenetic analysis showed clustering of the Serbian PepMV isolates into CH2 strain, but they formed separate subgroup within CH2 strain.Research highlights: This is the first data of the presence of PepMV in protected tomato production in Serbia. Considering increased incidence and rapid spread in Europe, the presence of PepMV on tomato could therefore represent serious threat to this valuable crop in Serbia

Effect of water activity on the radial growth of fungi isolated from dry-cured sheep ham, in vitro (Serbia)

In the Western Balkans, traditional dry-cured sheep ham called Pastrma or Stelja is produced. Dry-cured sheep ham from Sjenica is produced in a very complex manner, and a prerequisite for its production is the sanitary safety of raw materials in accordance with veterinary and sanitary regulations. Isolation and preliminary identification of fungi from sheep ham were carried out in this study, as well as in vitro testing of the effects of water activity (aw) on the growth of isolated fungi. Fungi were isolated from 9 samples of dry-cured sheep meat taken from three households in the area of Sjenica in two productive years (2015 and 2016). Species of genus Penicillium were isolated as dominant in all the investigated samples. Water activity was tested on MY50GF agar from the series of malt extract yeast extract glucose fructose agar. Water activity was set to values of 0.87, 0.89, and 0.97. The results of the research showed that the growth of fungal colonies is under the direct influence of water activity. Fungi grew fastest at water activity of 0.97, and the highest growth of all tested species was recorded after 3 (A. niger), 7 (P. patulum), and 10 days (A. nidulans).Publishe

The influence of environmental factors on the planktonic growth and biofilm formation of Escherichia coli

In this study, the effects of environmental factors (different media, temperature, pH, salt and sugar concentrations) on the planktonic growth, biofilm formation and formed biofilm of Escherichia coli KGPMF 16 and Escherichia coli KGPMF 17 were investigated. Tested bacteria were isolated from traditionally made cheese produced in Southeastern Serbia (Sokobanja region). The influence on planktonic growth, biofilm formation and formed biofilm was determined using spectrophotometric method. The limiting factors for the planktonic growth and biofilm formation were temperature of 4 °C and all tested concentrations of salt. The growth of tested bacteria was higher in media enriched with lactose than in media containing glucose. TSB was more congenial media to the planktonic growth of bacteria than MHB broth. None of the tested bacteria demonstrated the ability to form biofilm at 4 °C and 44 °C. Only E. coli KGPMF 17 showed ability to form biofilm in TSB at 37 °C. Different concentrations of salt, glucose and lactose exhibited inhibitory effect on biofilm formation, but all tested concentrations of lactose showed stimulating effect on formed biofilm of E. coli KGPMF 17. These results contribute to better understanding of the effects of environmental factors on the development of E. coli in cheese.Publishe

Treatment of Multiple Chalazions with Intralesional Kenalog-40 Injections in Juvenile Patient: A Case Report

Aim: To case report the efficacy of subcutaneous steroid injections in the treatment of multiple chalazions and to evaluate the safety of intralesional injection in primary and recurrent chalazions in juvenile patient.Case report: A 25-year-old man noticed lesions which appeared on upper lid during past three months. It was clinically presented with three focal, large and painful nodules in upper right eyelid. Inflammation process began on May the 1st of 2013. After one month in May 30th 2013 was directly administered synthetic steroid, Kenalog-40. Application of triamcinolone acetonide resulted in two satellite lesions, compared to the original, when the same incisions drained during the first surgery in July 5th 2013, with topical antibiotic-steroidal drugs and hot compresses. Second surgery was in July 26th 2013. Third surgery was performed in August 5st 2013 with second application of Kenalog-40. Combined treatment leads to recovery of clinical signs and inflammation of right upper eyelid with regressions of primary and recurrent chalazions.Conclusion: Two steroid subcutaneous injections produced complete resolution of multiple primary and recurrent chalazions. Clinical imperative was that recurrent or unusual refractory chalazions require referral to Hystopathological examination of curetting to exclude malignancy

Duvan chvarci : product characterization and comparison between traditional and industrial production

Research Areas: Food Science & TechnologyThis research aimed to investigate and compare traditional products called “duvan chvarci” produced using pork meat and fat, originated from local households and industries. Physical and chemical analysis demonstrated differences among the examined products, mostly in total chloride content and TBARS values. Samples collected at local households showed finer color (higher lightness and yellowness) and sensory properties (rated as “extremely acceptable”), while industrial products were rated between “very acceptable” and “extremely acceptable“. Microbiological analysis exhibited that enterobacteria, coagulase-positive staphylococci, Salmonella spp., Shigella spp., and fungi were absent from all meat products. Dominant microbiota was identified as Lactobacillus spp. and Staphylococcus spp. All tested isolates showed γ-haemolysis on blood agar plates. Tested Staphylococcus spp. were sensitive to novobiocin while Lactobacillus isolates demonstrated sensitivity to ampicillin, chloramphenicol, clindamycin, erythromycin, tetracycline, gentamycin, and streptomycin. None of the tested isolates showed full resistance to antibiotics. Overall, results indicated that duvan chvarci is a microbiologically safe product and provided the initial evidence regarding the physical, chemical, technological, and sensory properties of this widely consumed product in the Balkans.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio