Synthesis, structure and properties of potentially biologically active derivatives of cycloalkanespiro-5- -hydantoine

У оквиру проучавања односа структуре и биолошке активности деривата циклоалканспиро-5-хидантоина, у овом раду су синтетисане три нове серије једињења и то: 3-(4-супституисани бензил)циклопентанспиро-5-хидантоини, 3-(4-супституисани бензил)циклохексанспиро-5-хидантоини и 3-(4-супституисани бензил)циклохептанспиро-5-хидантоини...In order to examine solvation effects on the pharmacological properties of hydantoin derivatives, three series of compounds have been synthesized: 3-(4-substituted benzyl)cyclopentanespiro-5-hydantoins, 3-(4-substituted benzyl) cycloheхanespiro-5-hydantoins, and 3-(4-substituted benzyl) cycloheptanespiro-5- -hydantoins..

Organizational culture of the department of construction management and economics, Faculty of Civil Engeeniring, University of Zagreb

Since 1981, when Peters and Waterman introduced term organizational culture in organizational science, organizational culture has become a very important field of investigation. The reason why organizational culture became so popular is connection between appropriate cultures and efficiency and productivity of organizations. However, there is no universal organizational culture applicable to all types of organizations. Hence, this paper analyzes organizational culture of the Faculty of Civil Engineering (FoCE), University of Zagreb, focusing on the Department of construction management and economics (DoCME) and it tries to investigate whether this culture enables optimal fulfillment of FoCE’ goals. According to survey of members of the FoCE, presented in this paper, lecturers are moderately satisfied with interpersonal relationship, with selection of new employees, with the opportunity for professional promotion and with the ceremonies at the FoCE. Nevertheless, lecturers are not satisfied with the value system. In addition, a high percentage of members of FoCE think that clear rules of behavior for students should be established. Members of the DoCME (lecturers, assistants and students) are relatively satisfied with the organizational culture in general, but they are not satisfied with the hierarchy of values at the faculty level

USE OF BOTULINUM TOXIN TYPE A IN THE TREATMENT OF SPASTICITY IN CHILDREN WITH CEREBRAL PALSY

Cerebral palsy has an incidence of about 1-2 per 1000 live births, and in spite of the progress of neonatal medicine, it seems that the incidence will not subside in the near future. The most important characteristic of cerebral palsy is movement abnormality: spasticity, chorea, athetosis, ataxia, dystonia, as well as their different combinations. About 70% of children who suffer from cerebral palsy also suffer from some form of spasticity. Spasticity is a type of muscle hypertonicity characterized by rapid increase in resistance to passive stretching of muscles. The interest for botulinum toxin application in the treatment of spasticity has dramatically increased in the last 10 years. Botulinum toxin is the most powerful neurotoxin that is found in nature. It is produced by anaerobic bacteria – clostridium botulinum. It is produced in eight serotypes of which type A is the most commonly used. Botulinum toxin blocks neuromuscular transmission and causes irreversible weakness of the treated muscle. It has been used since 1993 in the treatment of cerebral palsy in children. The toxin effect is permanent and it results in irreversible denervation. Functional recovery is possible after 2-4 months, due to sprouting of nerve endings and the formation of new synaptic contacts. Treatment with botulinum toxin is safe. Adverse effects are rare, temporary and completely reversible. Application of botulinum toxin prevents or reduces contractures and deformities, and thus delays or avoids surgical treatment. Yet, physical therapy, which prolongs and improves the effects of botulinum toxin, remains an essential and most important form of therapy in the treatment of children with cerebral palsy

Supplementary material for the article: Lazić, A. M.; Mašulović, A. D.; Lađarević, J. M.; Valentić, N. V. Assessing the pharmacological potential of selected xanthene derivatives. Journal of the Serbian Chemical Society 2023, 88(9), 811-824. https://doi.org/10.2298/JSC230131035L

A convenient and efficient approach toward the synthesis of seven aromatically substituted xanthendiones 1‒7 and one structurally-related xanthenone 8 through condensation of dimedone and the appropriate aromatic aldehyde is reported. Further, their chemical structure was confirmed by melting points, elemental analysis, FT-IR, 1H-, 13C-NMR and UV–Vis spectroscopic methods. The relationship between the chemical structure and pharmacological activity was determined empirically using appropriate software packages and in vitro using the 2,2'-azinobis-(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid (ABTS) method. The results of in silico prediction suggested that all investigated compounds possess good oral bioavailability. The results of the ABTS assay indicate that five compounds possess the ability to scavenge the ABTS•+ radical cation. Based on the comparison of the IC50 values, the activity of the compounds was found to be as follows: 6 > 1 > 7 > 2 > 8. The effects of solvent dipolarity/polarizability and solute solvent–hydrogen-bonding interactions on the shifts of the absorption maxima were rationalized by means of the linear solvation energy relationship concepts proposed by Kamlet–Taft and Catalán.Related to: [https://technorep.tmf.bg.ac.rs/handle/123456789/6809]Supplementary material for: [https://doi.org/10.2298/JSC230131035L

The Effect of Green Extraction Technologies on the Chemical Composition of Medicinal Chaga Mushroom Extracts

The mushroom industry should implement green extraction technologies; however, there is not enough information on the differences between these techniques expressed as the chemical composition of the resulting extract. In this study, selected types of green extraction techniques (GETs) were used on Chaga (Inonotus obliquus) (Fr.) Pilát from Serbia (IS) and Mongolia (IM) to examine the differences that would enable the composition-based technology choices in the mushroom supplement industry. Subcritical water extraction (SWE), microwave-assisted (MW) extraction, and ultrasonic-assisted extraction (VAE) were used to prepare the extracts. SWE was performed at two different temperatures (120 and 200 °C), while 96% ethanol, 50% ethanol, and water were used for MW and VAE. The yield, the content of total phenols, total proteins, and carbohydrates, qualitative and quantitative analysis of phenolic compounds, carbohydrates, including α- and β- and total glucans, and fatty acids, were determined in the obtained extracts. SWE resulted in a significantly higher yield, total polysaccharide, and glucan content than any other technique. Glucose was the most dominant monosaccharide in the SWE samples, especially those extracted at 200 °C. The MW 50% EtOH extracts showed the highest yield of total phenols. Among the tested phenolic compounds, chlorogenic acid was the most dominant. SWE can be recommended as the most efficient method for extracting commercially important compounds, especially glucans and phenols

Reforma zdravstva ili kako tretiramo zdravlje

Zdravlje je Ustavom zajamčena kategorija kojom se bavi sustav zdravstva. Iako na području Hrvatske imamo velike razlike u dostupnosti zdravstvene zaštite s godinama se vrlo malo toga mijenja. Kao probleme zdravstvenog sustava možemo navesti: neracionalan sustav i loše upravljanje sustavom zdravstva- bit je problema iz kojeg proizlazi niz ostalih problema: nedostatak stručnih kadrova u pojedinim područjima, nedovoljno pažnje se posvećuje ljudskim resursima što je posebno vidljivo kroz sustav plaća u javnom sektoru te kroz male mogućnosti edukacije kadrova

Addressing the environmental problems of wastewater: reducing the pollution while providing multifunctional wool fabrics

The reduction of water pollution represents one of the priority topics of the EU’s goal to achieve climate neutrality by 2050. Considering this, the concept of reusing the same dyebath for multiple dyeing cycles is proposed. For this purpose, two pyridinium-based azo pyridone dyes with improved solubility and affinity towards different fibers, are used for dyeing wool fabric. It is demonstrated that the dye concentration in wastewater could be reduced up to four times by recirculation of the same dyebath 5 times. The dyed fabrics obtained in each cycle are further characterized regarding color strength (K/S) and ultraviolet protection factor (UPF), while their antioxidant potential is evaluated by ABTS (2,2’-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulphonic acid)) test. The results revealed that the proposed concept could be used for obtaining multifunctional wool fabrics by following the principles of sustainable development of reducing the effluent load in wastewater

Evaluation of solvent and substituent effects on absorption spectra of spirohydantoins derived from α-tetralone

A convenient and efficient approach toward the synthesis of six 3-(4-substituted benzyl)-6,7- benzo-1,3-diazaspiro[4.5]decane-2,4-diones (1‒6) by Bucherer-Bergs reaction and further alkylation at position 3 of the hydantoin ring is reported. Further, their chemical structure was confirmed by melting points, elemental analysis, FT-IR, NMR and UV–Vis spectroscopic methods. To gain an insight into interactions which the investigated spirohydantoins establish with their environment, their absorption spectra were recorded in selected solvents of different polarity and the solvent effects on the UV-Vis absorption band positions, intensity and shape, were discussed. Substiuent effects on the solvatochromism of compounds 1−6 were analyzed using the Hammett's equation. Considering the broad applications of hydantoin derivatives, as well as the fact that their relative importance may increase in the future, results obtained in this study serve as a basis for further investigations

Oyster mushroom (Pleurotus ostreatus) cultivation on different food waste originated substrates

Oyster mushroom (Pleurotus ostreatus) was cultivated on seven substrate mixtures, containing grape pomace, soybean husk and sunflower seed husk, which represent the wastes from the wine and edible oil industry. Wheat straw was used as a control substrate. Grape pomace mixtures and control substrate were grown under higher ambient temperature than soybean and sunflower husk mixtures. The effect of food industry wastebased substrates on several productivity parameters (time required for completion of mycelium running (days), mycelium running rate in bags (mm/days), time required for primordia initiation (days), time required for harvesting (days), total mushroom yield and biological efficiency) was estimated. Results indicated soybean husk affecting the best mushroom yield and biological efficiency, followed by sunflower seed husk substrates and wheat straw as a control substrate. Grape pomace-based substrates showed the lowest productivity potential. On the other hand, lower cultivation temperatures showed slower growth causing the longer time from inoculation to harvest. To complete the estimation of these alternative raw materials for mushroom cultivation future research may include the assessment of the chemical and antioxidant properties of mushrooms as well as their quality characteristics