Environmental and Pharmacokinetic Aspects of Zeolite/Pharmaceuticals Systems—Two Facets of Adsorption Ability

Zeolites belong to aluminosilicate microporous solids, with strong and diverse catalytic activity, which makes them applicable in almost every kind of industrial process, particularly thanks to their eco-friendly profile. Another crucial characteristic of zeolites is their tremendous adsorption capability. Therefore, it is self-evident that the widespread use of zeolites is in environmental protection, based primarily on the adsorption capacity of substances potentially harmful to the environment, such as pharmaceuticals, pesticides, or other industry pollutants. On the other hand, zeolites are also recognized as drug delivery systems (DDS) carriers for numerous pharmacologically active agents. The enhanced bioactive ability of DDS zeolite as a drug carrying nanoplatform is confirmed, making this system more specific and efficient, compared to the drug itself. These two applications of zeolite, in fact, illustrate the importance of (ir)reversibility of the adsorption process. This review gives deep insight into the balance and dynamics that are established during that process, i.e., the interaction between zeolites and pharmaceuticals, helping scientists to expand their knowledge necessarily for a more effective application of the adsorption phenomenon of zeolites

Risk factors for severe dental anxiety among medical students

Background/Aim. Severe dental anxiety (SDA) is the most severe form of dental anxiety, thus the aim of this study was to determine the factors associated with SDA in students of health-related disciplines. Methods. In this case-control study the cases were students with severe dental anxiety. The study was conducted at the Faculty of Medical Sciences, University of Kragujevac, Serbia. The participants were undergraduate students attending lectures during spring semester 2010/2011 (n = 1,812). A random sample of 800 students was assessed for the association between various risk factors and the severe dental anxiety. The main outcome measures were the data on demographics, dental anxiety, habits concerning oral hygiene, nutrition, general anxiety and (co)morbidity which were collected from the study participants by semi-structured questionnaire. Results. Less frequent visits to the dentist (OR adjusted = 7.02 [2.65; 18.60]) and visiting the dentist only when there is a dental problem (OR adjusted = 8.08 [1.28; 50.93]) were associated with severe dental anxiety. The same was true for improper oral hygiene (OR adjusted = 4.25 [1.16; 15.60]). Factors as changing toothbrush more frequently (OR adjusted = 0.33 [0.14; 0.76]) and having chronic disease (OR adjusted = 0.01 [0.00; 0.09]) were inversely associated with severe dental anxiety. The level of education of students was not associated with severe dental anxiety. Conclusion. Inappropriate oral hygiene, less frequent changes of a toothbrush and less frequent visits to the dentist are important risk factors for severe dental anxiety. [Projekat Ministarstva nauke Republike Srbije, br. 175007

Behavioral effects of long-term application of dietary protocols enriched with

SAŽETAK: Uvod: U ovoj studiji su ispitivani bihevioralni efekti dugotrajne primene dijetetskih protokola sa povećanim sadržajem metionina i nedostatkom folata, piridoksina i kobalamina, kao i uticaj primene statina uz navedene dijetetske protokole kod pacova. Materijal i metode: Studija je sprovedena na 72 pacova Wistar albino soja, starosti četiri nedelje, telesne mase 100±15g, podeljenih u 9 grupa, na osnovu primenjenih dijetetskih protokola - standardna hrana, hrana sa povećanim sadržajem metionina, hrana sa povećanim sadržajem metionina i smanjenim sadržajem folata, piridoksina i kobalamina. U odgovarajućim grupama uz navedene protokole, aplicirani su statini - atorvastatin (3 mg/kg) ili simvastatin (5 mg/kg). Protokoli su trajali 30 dana, nakon čega su vršeni bihevioralni testovi, a nakon toga su životinje žrtvovane u cilju dobijanja uzoraka za analizu parametara oksidativnog statusa u tkivu hipokampusa. Rezultati: Rezultati bihevioralnog ispitivanja su pokazali da primenjeni dijetetski protokoli sa povećanim sadržajem metionina, kao i sa povećanim sadržajem metionina i nedostatkom vitamina V kompleksa (V6, V9, V12) dovode do ispoljavanja anksiogenog i prodepresantnog efekta. Istovremena primena statina uz navedene protokole je ublažavala negativne bihevioralne efekte dijetetskih režima. Parametri za procenu oksidativnog stresa u hipokampusu su potvrđivali oksidativno oštećenje uzrokovano dijetetskim protokolima, dok je simultana primena statina smanjivala oksidativno oštećenje hipokampalnog tkiva. Zaključak: Hronična primena dijete sa povećanim sadržajem metionina, kao i sa povećanim sadržajem metionina uz nedostatak vitamina V kompleksa (V6, V9, V12) je dovela do ispoljavanja anksiogenog i prodepresantnog efekta, uz istovremeno povećanje oksidativnog oštećenja u tkivu hipokampusa. Istovremena primena statina (atorvastatin i simvastatin) sprovođena uz dijetetski protokol sa povećanim unosom metionina, kao i uz dodatni nedostatak vitamina V kompleksa, je ublažavala negativne bihevioralne efekte izazvane dijetetskim protokolima, uz smanjenje stepena oksidativnog oštećenja tkiva hipokampusa.ABSTRACT Introduction: The aim of this study was to evaluate behavioral effects of special dietary protocols enriched with methionine and deficient in folate, pyridoxine and cobalamine in rats. The effects of statins, simultaneously applied with special dietary protocols, were also investigated in this study. Material and methods: The investigation was performed on 72 male Wistar albino rats, 4 weeks old, 100 ± 15 g body weight. They were divided (eight per group) according to the basic dietary protocols: standard chow, methionine-enriched, and methionine-enriched vitamins B (B6, B9, B12) deficient diet. Each dietary protocol included groups with atorvastatin (3 mg/kg/day) and simvastatin (5 mg/kg/day). Applied dietary protocols lasted for 30 days. Behavioral testing was performed following completion of dietary pretreatment and parameters of oxidative stress were determined in hippocampal tissue samples following decapitation after anesthesia. Results: The results of behavioral testing showed that methionine-load dietary protocols, as well as methionine-enriched diet with restricted vitamins B intake, induced anxiogenic and prodepressant effects. Simultaneous statins administration attenuated negative behavioral effects of both applied dietary protocols. Parameters for oxidative stress estimation confirmed oxidative damage in rat hippocampus, while simultaneous application of statins attenuated oxidative damage caused by applied dietary protocols. Conclusion: Chronic dietary interventions enriched with methionine and deficient in folate, pyridoxine and cobalamine induced anxiogenic and prodepressant effects, which were accompanied by increased oxidative stress in rat hippocampus. Simultaneous statins administration with methionine overloading dietary protocols showed beneficial effects by means of attenuation of both negative behavioral effects and oxidative stress parameters in hippocampal tissue

Behavioral effects of long-term application of dietary protocols enriched with

SAŽETAK: Uvod: U ovoj studiji su ispitivani bihevioralni efekti dugotrajne primene dijetetskih protokola sa povećanim sadržajem metionina i nedostatkom folata, piridoksina i kobalamina, kao i uticaj primene statina uz navedene dijetetske protokole kod pacova. Materijal i metode: Studija je sprovedena na 72 pacova Wistar albino soja, starosti četiri nedelje, telesne mase 100±15g, podeljenih u 9 grupa, na osnovu primenjenih dijetetskih protokola - standardna hrana, hrana sa povećanim sadržajem metionina, hrana sa povećanim sadržajem metionina i smanjenim sadržajem folata, piridoksina i kobalamina. U odgovarajućim grupama uz navedene protokole, aplicirani su statini - atorvastatin (3 mg/kg) ili simvastatin (5 mg/kg). Protokoli su trajali 30 dana, nakon čega su vršeni bihevioralni testovi, a nakon toga su životinje žrtvovane u cilju dobijanja uzoraka za analizu parametara oksidativnog statusa u tkivu hipokampusa. Rezultati: Rezultati bihevioralnog ispitivanja su pokazali da primenjeni dijetetski protokoli sa povećanim sadržajem metionina, kao i sa povećanim sadržajem metionina i nedostatkom vitamina V kompleksa (V6, V9, V12) dovode do ispoljavanja anksiogenog i prodepresantnog efekta. Istovremena primena statina uz navedene protokole je ublažavala negativne bihevioralne efekte dijetetskih režima. Parametri za procenu oksidativnog stresa u hipokampusu su potvrđivali oksidativno oštećenje uzrokovano dijetetskim protokolima, dok je simultana primena statina smanjivala oksidativno oštećenje hipokampalnog tkiva. Zaključak: Hronična primena dijete sa povećanim sadržajem metionina, kao i sa povećanim sadržajem metionina uz nedostatak vitamina V kompleksa (V6, V9, V12) je dovela do ispoljavanja anksiogenog i prodepresantnog efekta, uz istovremeno povećanje oksidativnog oštećenja u tkivu hipokampusa. Istovremena primena statina (atorvastatin i simvastatin) sprovođena uz dijetetski protokol sa povećanim unosom metionina, kao i uz dodatni nedostatak vitamina V kompleksa, je ublažavala negativne bihevioralne efekte izazvane dijetetskim protokolima, uz smanjenje stepena oksidativnog oštećenja tkiva hipokampusa.ABSTRACT Introduction: The aim of this study was to evaluate behavioral effects of special dietary protocols enriched with methionine and deficient in folate, pyridoxine and cobalamine in rats. The effects of statins, simultaneously applied with special dietary protocols, were also investigated in this study. Material and methods: The investigation was performed on 72 male Wistar albino rats, 4 weeks old, 100 ± 15 g body weight. They were divided (eight per group) according to the basic dietary protocols: standard chow, methionine-enriched, and methionine-enriched vitamins B (B6, B9, B12) deficient diet. Each dietary protocol included groups with atorvastatin (3 mg/kg/day) and simvastatin (5 mg/kg/day). Applied dietary protocols lasted for 30 days. Behavioral testing was performed following completion of dietary pretreatment and parameters of oxidative stress were determined in hippocampal tissue samples following decapitation after anesthesia. Results: The results of behavioral testing showed that methionine-load dietary protocols, as well as methionine-enriched diet with restricted vitamins B intake, induced anxiogenic and prodepressant effects. Simultaneous statins administration attenuated negative behavioral effects of both applied dietary protocols. Parameters for oxidative stress estimation confirmed oxidative damage in rat hippocampus, while simultaneous application of statins attenuated oxidative damage caused by applied dietary protocols. Conclusion: Chronic dietary interventions enriched with methionine and deficient in folate, pyridoxine and cobalamine induced anxiogenic and prodepressant effects, which were accompanied by increased oxidative stress in rat hippocampus. Simultaneous statins administration with methionine overloading dietary protocols showed beneficial effects by means of attenuation of both negative behavioral effects and oxidative stress parameters in hippocampal tissue

CALCULATION IN POTATO PRODUCTION ON THE FARM IN DRAGAČEVO CONDITONS

The aim of this paper is to calculate costs of potato production on area of 1.5 ha in 2020 on the Mijailović farm in the village of Gornja Kravarica, municipality of Lučani. Economic viability of production was analyzed. The calculation of costs calculated gross margin, and sensitivity analysis of the gross margin, as a significant indicator of success production in relation to the achieved yield and selling price potatoes, are presented. The total yield of mercantile potatoes was 65 t and the average selling price was 15 RSD per kg. To determine the financial result, all revenues and expenditures were taken into account, so gross margin in observed year amounted to 335,362 RSD.Publishe

Bulk or supported tungstophosphates? Antioxidant and antimicrobial activities following pesticide removal

The study evaluates caesium, potassium, silver, and zinc tungstophosphates synthesized in bulk and Y zeolite-supported forms through a two-step process. Spectral investigation reveals the impact of cation size on tungstophosphates formation. The large cations form ion-ion interaction with the Keggin ion, while smaller cations form hydrogen bonds between the cation hydration sphere and terminal oxygens in the Keggin ion. Supported salts formation proceeds without Keggin ion distortion. Zeta potential showed the absence of particle aggregation for caesium and potassium tungstophosphate. Nicosulfuron removal by the supported salt exhibits enhanced retention, with the exception observed for zinc tungstophosphate suggesting a decomposition mechanism. Antimicrobial evaluations reveal silver salt's potency, especially in zeolite-supported form, emphasizing the role of zeolite support. In the presence of pesticide molecules, the antimicrobial activity of salts lowers, with the exception seen for fungus strain. The antioxidant assessments demonstrate superior inhibition for insoluble bulk salts, with caesium tungstophosphate exhibiting the highest inhibition, while supported silver salt enhances bulk salt performance. The presence of pesticides affects both antimicrobial and antioxidant activities, while a complex relationship with radical scavenging ability in bulk and supported salts is independent of their pesticide adsorption capacities. The study broadens the range of the versatile applications of tungstophosphates, highlighting their specific interactions with pesticides and their impact on bioactivity and environmental remediation

Facile and Low-Cost Electrochemical Synthesis of Zinc Alginate Hydrogel Films for Biomedical Applications

Electrochemical synthesis and characterization of Zn-alginate hydrogel films and their antioxidant and antimicrobial activity are evaluated. Swelling properties, zinc concentration and spectroscopic and morphological features were characterized and related to their antimicrobial and antioxidant activity. These results indicate a dependence of swelling on the degree of cross-linking, which, in turn, can be adjusted by manipulating the synthesis time, initial alginate concentration and/or zinc leaching. Hydrogel films with zinc showed remarkable antibacterial properties, especially against gram-positive bacteria. The absence of Zn resulted in less inhibition of gram-positive strains, although it had a positive effect on the inhibition of gram-negative strains, which was attributed to the degradation of alginate chains, affecting cell metabolism. Nitrogen-doped samples synthesized in rivanol-containing solution exhibited globular morphology and higher antioxidant activity. The electrochemical synthesis enables the facile preparation of highly active alginate hydrogels for biomedical applications

Bulk or supported tungstophosphates? Antioxidant and antimicrobial activities following pesticide removal

The study evaluates caesium, potassium, silver, and zinc tungstophosphates synthesized in bulk and Y zeolite-supported forms through a two-step process. Spectral investigation reveals the impact of cation size on tungstophosphates formation. The large cations form ion-ion interaction with the Keggin ion, while smaller cations form hydrogen bonds between the cation hydration sphere and terminal oxygens in the Keggin ion. Supported salts formation proceeds without Keggin ion distortion. Zeta potential showed the absence of particle aggregation for caesium and potassium tungstophosphate. Nicosulfuron removal by the supported salt exhibits enhanced retention, with the exception observed for zinc tungstophosphate suggesting a decomposition mechanism. Antimicrobial evaluations reveal silver salt's potency, especially in zeolite-supported form, emphasizing the role of zeolite support. In the presence of pesticide molecules, the antimicrobial activity of salts lowers, with the exception seen for fungus strain. The antioxidant assessments demonstrate superior inhibition for insoluble bulk salts, with caesium tungstophosphate exhibiting the highest inhibition, while supported silver salt enhances bulk salt performance. The presence of pesticides affects both antimicrobial and antioxidant activities, while a complex relationship with radical scavenging ability in bulk and supported salts is independent of their pesticide adsorption capacities. The study broadens the range of the versatile applications of tungstophosphates, highlighting their specific interactions with pesticides and their impact on bioactivity and environmental remediation

Efficacy and safety of once monthly ibandronate treatment in patients with reduced bone mineral density: Esther study

Introduction. Osteoporosis usually affects post-menopausal women. Treatment is individualized and requires an approach that will provide long-term compliance to prevent fractures. Studies conducted so far suggest inadequate compliance and persistence in weekly bisphosphonate treatment (under 43% after a year of treatment). Ibandronate, as a powerful bisphosphonate, has made it possible for the first time to treat osteoporosis with a single tablet per month. Objective. Study of efficacy, safety and tolerance of ibandronate applied once a month in female patients with decreased bone mineral density (BMD). Methods. The prospective study was conducted in 34 centres in Serbia covering the total of 370 women with reduced BMD with ibandronate once a month. Demographic data, risk factors for osteoporosis, mode of diagnosis establishment, previous treatment for osteoporosis and concomitant diseases were investigated. Efficacy of the treatment was evaluated by T-score value after 12 months versus the baseline values. Tolerance of the treatment, compliance and adverse effects were recorded. Results. The sample included 97.5% post-menopausal women, 92.7% with osteoporosis. In 80% of the cases, the diagnosis was established by DXA measurement. In more than 90% of the sample, the level of physical activity was unsatisfactory, and 70% had an accompanying risk factor for osteoporosis in addition to menopause. After 12 months of treatment, 100% compliance was recorded in 84% of the patients and significant reduction (p<0.0001) of the bone mineral loss, regardless of the previous aminobisphosphonate treatment. The treatment was tolerated well, with no serious adverse reactions. Some, mainly gastrointestinal complaints, registered in the first month (6%), were significantly relieved (p<0.0001) after 12 months of treatment (1%). Conclusion. Ibandronate manifested significant improvement of the BMD after 12 months of treatment of patients with decreased BMD, with good tolerance and excellent treatment compliance

Ischemic stroke in patients with type 2 diabetes: Relationship between decreased insulin sensitivity and fibrinolysis impairment

The role of insulin sensitivity (IS), as well as the association of IS with fibrinolysis impairment, in the occurrence of ischemic stroke, has not been clarified. The study was aimed to analyze IS, plasma insulin (PI) and plasminogen activator inhibitor (PAI)-1 levels in 34 type 2 diabetics (T2D) with ischemic stroke (group A), 30 T2D without ischemic stroke (group B), 33 nondiabetics with ischemic stroke (group C) and 33 healthy controls (group D). Ischemic stroke was confirmed by clinical and neuroimaging criteria. IS levels were determined by the minimal model analysis (Si index). Plasma insulin levels were measured by radioimmunoassay and PAI-1 activity was performed by the plasminogen chromogenic plasmin substrate assay. We found that Silevels were significantly lower in group A vs. B (1.17+/-0.66 vs. 2.79+/-0.62 min-1/mU/Lx104; p<0.001) and in C vs. D (3.25+/-0.84 vs. 6.03+/-1.69 min-1/mU/Lx104; p<0.001), while PI levels were higher in group A vs. B (19.46+/-4.11 vs. 14.79+/-1.75 mU/L; p<0.001) and in C vs. D (15.16+/-2.23 vs. 7.54+/-2.03 mU/L; p <0.001). Also, PAI-1 activity was significantly higher in group A vs. B (7.78+/-1.05 i 4.56+/-0.71 mU/L; p<0.001) and in C vs D (4.65+/-0.69 i 3.48+/-1.29 mU/L; p<0.001). Moreover, Silevels correlated with PAI-1, both in T2D and nondiabetics. Our results indicate that appearance of ischemic stroke was associated with decreased insulin sensitivity, together with compensatory hyperinsulinemia, both in T2D and nondiabetics. Our results imply that impaired insulin sensitivity exerts its atherogenic influence, at least in part, by decreased fibrinolysis