Spatial analysis and mapping of fire risk zones and vulnerability assessment: Case study Mt. Stara planina

During the turn of the century, the current data of registered fires in Stara planina were insufficient to up date and incomplete, which directly conditioned unintended purpose of prevention and fire protection. With the advent and development of new technologies (remote sensing, GIS, GPS, etc.), since 2010 various data patterns of fire have been collected, recorded, processed and analyzed. Based on the collected and processed data since 2010 preventive measures against fire and better management of natural resources of protected areas have been implemented. The aim of this paper is spatial analysis and mapping of risk zones of fire in Stara planina, consisting of different vegetation cover, the complex structure of the terrain and heterogeneous composition of the soil. In Stara planina, a total of 44505 fires in the open space, in the period from 2010 to 2012, was registered. Cartographic locating, plotting the recorded ''hot spots'' and analyzing topography (aspect, slope, etc) and collected data for this period, the authors identified and zoned endangered belts of Stara planina

Characteristics of environmental knowledge, environmental responsibility and pro environmental behavior among primary and secondary school students in Serbia

This study analyzed trends in the environmental knowledge, responsibility and behaviour of primary and secondary school students in Serbia. It was found that the majority of students showed responsible environmental attitudes, but did not display sufficient environmental knowledge and pro-environmental behaviour in all tested situations. The obtained results can help to identify social changes con- cerning environmental protection in Serbia that can be anticipated, as well as future directions for formal and informal education regarding the development of environ- mental awareness and pro-environmental habits among young people in Serbia

Characteristics of environmental knowledge, environmental responsibility and pro environmental behavior among primary and secondary school students in Serbia

This study analyzed trends in the environmental knowledge, responsibility and behaviour of primary and secondary school students in Serbia. It was found that the majority of students showed responsible environmental attitudes, but did not display sufficient environmental knowledge and pro-environmental behaviour in all tested situations. The obtained results can help to identify social changes con- cerning environmental protection in Serbia that can be anticipated, as well as future directions for formal and informal education regarding the development of environ- mental awareness and pro-environmental habits among young people in Serbia

In vitro biosinteza ohratoksina A kod izolata Aspergillus ochraceus E'G

This paper deals with the biosynthetic capacity for ochratoxin A (OTA) production by Aspergillus ochraceus E'G isolate derived from A. ochraceus CBS 108.08 strain, during 2007. Preliminary analysis of fungal potential for the production of OTA were performed according to the modified method of Filtenborg et al. (1983). Toxin production was tested in the following liquid media: (i) glucose-peptone-yeast extract broth (GPY - pH 5.6), (ii) potato-dextrose broth (PDB - pH 6.9), (iii) yeast extract-sucrose broth (YES - pH 6.5), and (iv) YES broth supplemented with 0.23 mg/l ZnSO4 x 5 H2O (YESZn - pH 6.5) after stationary and submerged cultivation. Dynamics of OTA biosynthesis was tested after the cultivation of A. ochraceus E'G on natural solid substrates, such as wet sterilized rice, corn and wheat grain. Cultivations were performed during different time periods (ranging from four days to few weeks) at different temperatures (ranging from 21°C to 30°C). The presence of OTA was determined as follows: (i) in liquid media according to the method of Balzer et al. (1978) modified by Bočarov-Stančić et al. (2003), and (ii) in the solid substrates according to the Serbian official methods for sampling and analyzing of fodder (Official Gazette of SFRY, No. 15/87). After the cultivation of A. ochraceus E'G isolate in liquid media, the highest yield of OTA (6.4 mg/l) was obtained after submerged cultivation in PDB (4 days, 128 rpm, 21-23°C). In the case of cultivation on solid substrates, the highest amount of OTA (800.0 mg/kg of dry matter) was recorded after several week long cultivation on wheat grain at 30±1°C.Ispitivanjem je bio obuhvaćen izolat Aspergillus ochraceus E'G izveden iz soja A. ochraceus CBS 108.08. Preliminarne analize prisustva ohratoksina A (OTA) su izvršene prema modifikovanoj metodi Filtenborg -a i sar. (1983) na agarizobanim podlogama. Proizvodnja toksina je testirana u sledećim tečnim podlogama: 1) glukoza-pepton-ekstrakt kvasca u bujonu (GPY - pH 5,6), 2) krompir - dekstroznom bujonu (PDB - pH 6,9), 3) ekstrakt kvasca - saharoznom bujonu (YES - pH 6,5) i 4) ekstrakt kvasca-saharoznom bujonu sa dodatkom 0,23 mg/l ZnSO4 x 5 H2O (YESZn - pH 6,5) u uslovima stacionarne i submerzne kultivacije. Dinamika biosinteze ohratoksina A praćena je nakon gajenja na prirodnim čvrstim supstratima (zrno pirinča, kukuruza i pšenice) tokom višenedeljne kultivacije. Ohratoksin A je izolovan iz tečnih podloga za kultivaciju i produkciju primenom metode Balzera i sar. (1978) modifikovane prema Bočarov-Stančić i sar. (2003), dok je kvantitacija OTA u prirodnim čvrstim supstratima izvršena prema Pravilniku o metodama uzimanja uzoraka i metodama fizičkih, hemijskih i mikrobioloških analiza stočne hrane ('Sl. list SFRJ', br. 15/87). Pri gajenju izolata A. ochraceus E'G u tečnim podlogama najveći prinos OTA je dobijen pri korišćenju PDB (6,4 mg/l) i to u uslovima submerzne kultivacije (4 dana, 128 o/min, 21-23°C). U slučaju kultivacije na zrnu žitarica najveću količinu OTA je izolat A. ochraceus E'G biosintetisao posle višenedeljne kultivacije na zrnu pšenice i 30±1°C (800,0 mg/kg)

Potentially inappropriate prescribing among older patients and associated factors: comparison of two versions of STOPP/START criteria

The study aimed to estimate and compare the prevalence and type of potentially inappropriate medications (PIMs) and potential prescribing omissions (PPOs) between the STOPP/START original (v1) and updated version (v2) among older patients in various settings, as well as associated factors. The study included 440 patients attending a community pharmacy, 200 outpatients and 140 nursing home users. An increase in the prevalence of STOPP v2 (57.9%) compared to v1 (56.2%) was not statistically significant in the total sample and within each setting (p>0.05). A decrease in the prevalence of START v1 (55.8%) to v2 (41.2%) was statistically significant (p<0.001) in the total sample and within each setting (p<0.05). Drug indication (32.9%) and fall-risk medications (32.2%) were most commonly identified for STOPP v2, while cardiovascular system criteria (30.5%) were the most frequently detected for START v2. The number of medications was the strongest predictor for both STOPP v1 and v2, with odds ratio values of 1.35 and 1.34, respectively. Patients’ characteristics associated with the occurrence of STOPP and START criteria were identified. According to both STOPP/START versions, the results indicate a substantial rate of potentially inappropriate prescribing among elderly patients. The prevalence of PIMs was slightly higher with the updated version, while the prevalence of PPOs was significantly lower

Potentially inappropriate prescribing among older patients and associated factors: comparison of two versions of STOPP/START criteria

The study aimed to estimate and compare the prevalence and type of potentially inappropriate medications (PIMs) and potential prescribing omissions (PPOs) between the STOPP/START original (v1) and updated version (v2) among older patients in various settings, as well as associated factors. The study included 440 patients attending a community pharmacy, 200 outpatients and 140 nursing home users. An increase in the prevalence of STOPP v2 (57.9%) compared to v1 (56.2%) was not statistically significant in the total sample and within each setting (p&gt;0.05). A decrease in the prevalence of START v1 (55.8%) to v2 (41.2%) was statistically significant (p&lt;0.001) in the total sample and within each setting (p&lt;0.05). Drug indication (32.9%) and fall-risk medications (32.2%) were most commonly identified for STOPP v2, while cardiovascular system criteria (30.5%) were the most frequently detected for START v2. The number of medications was the strongest predictor for both STOPP v1 and v2, with odds ratio values of 1.35 and 1.34, respectively. Patients’ characteristics associated with the occurrence of STOPP and START criteria were identified. According to both STOPP/START versions, the results indicate a substantial rate of potentially inappropriate prescribing among elderly patients. The prevalence of PIMs was slightly higher with the updated version, while the prevalence of PPOs was significantly lower

Cross-Reactive Effects of Vaccines: Heterologous Immunity between Tetanus and Chlamydia

Vaccines can have heterologous effects on the immune system, i.e., effects other than triggering an immune response against the disease targeted by the vaccine. We investigated whether monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) specific for tetanus could cross-react with Chlamydia and confer heterologous protection against chlamydial infection. The capability of two tetanus-specific mAbs, namely mAb26 and mAb51, to prevent chlamydial infection has been assessed: (i) in vitro, by performing a neutralization assay using human conjunctival epithelial (HCjE) cells infected with Chlamydia trachomatis serovar B, and (ii) in vivo, by using a guinea pig model of Chlamydia caviae-induced inclusion conjunctivitis. The mAb26 has been superior in comparison with mAb51 in the prevention of chlamydial infection in HCjE cells. The mAb26 has conferred approximate to 40% inhibition of the infection, compared to less than 5% inhibition in the presence of the mAb51. In vivo, mAb26 significantly diminished ocular pathology intensity in guinea pigs infected with C. caviae compared to either the mAb51-treated or sham-treated guinea pigs. Our data provide insights that tetanus immunization generates antibodies which induce heterologous chlamydial immunity and promote protection beyond the intended target pathogen

Characterization of potential probiotic strain, L. reuteri B2, and its microencapsulation using alginate-based biopolymers

In this study, Lactobacillus reuteri B2was isolated fromthe feces of C57BL/6 mice and assessed on probiotic activity.L. reuteri B2was identified by 16S rDNA sequencing, which the cell viability in acidic conditions at pH 2.0was64% after 2 h, and in the presents of 0.30% of the bile salts, after 6 h, was 37%. Antimicrobial assay with L. reuteri B2showed maximumdiameters against Klebsiela oxytoca J7 (12.5±0.71mm).Wefurther hypothesized if L. reuteriB2 strain in the free form can survive all conditions in the gastrointestinal tract (GIT) then the utilization of theappropriate biomaterials would ameliorate its stability and viability in GIT. L. reuteri B2 was microencapsulatedinto sodium alginate-(Na-alg) and different content of Na-alg and sodium maleate (SM) beads. Characterizationmaterials enveloped their thermal characteristics (TGA/DTA analysis) and structure using: scanning electron microscopy(SEM), FTIR, and particle size distribution. The high survival rate of L. reuteri B2 at lowpH from2.0 to 4.0and in the presence of the bile salts, at concentrations up to 0.30%, was obtained. L. reuteri B2 showed strong antimicrobialactivity and the best protection microencapsulated with Na-alg + SM in simulated gastric juices(SGJ).This is the peer-reviewed version of the article: Popović, M., Stojanović, M., Veličković, Z., Kovačević, A., Miljković, R., Mirković, N.,& Marinković, A. (2021). Characterization of potential probiotic strain, L. reuteri B2, and its microencapsulation using alginate-based biopolymers. International Journal of Biological Macromolecules, Elsevier, 183, 423-434. [https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2021.04.177]Published version: [https://cer.ihtm.bg.ac.rs/handle/123456789/4594]Supplementary material: [https://cer.ihtm.bg.ac.rs/handle/123456789/4596

Modulation of functional characteristics of murine peritoneal macrophages by dehydrogenate polymer from coniferyl alcohol and alginate

The dehydrogenate polymer from coniferyl alcohol (DHP; a lignin model compound) in alginate hydrogel (ALG) has been shown to exert a strong antibacterial activity. To broadens a spectrum of potential DHP/ALG application, we aimed this study to evaluate the immunomodulatory activity of DHP/ALG. DHP and ALG were tested separately and in mixture (1:2 w/w) for their impact on in vitro production of cytokines (IL-6, IL-12, and IL-10) and reactive oxygen (ROS) and nitrogen (RNS) species by resident (RMs) and thioglycolate-elicited (TGMs) peritoneal macrophages of BALB/c mice. RMs and TGMs were stimulated (48h) with ALG and DHP in concentrations previously shown to be non-cytotoxic (up to 50 and 25 μg/ml, respectively). DHP/ALG promotes simultaneous production of inflammatory (IL-6, IL-12) and regulatory cytokines by RMs in a positive dose-dependent manner. Production of inflammatory cytokines was stimulated by ALG, while an increase in IL-10 production positively correlated to the concentration of DHP. ALG also stimulated the production of IL-12 by TGMs, which was mirrored in the outcome of ALG/DHP stimulation. The significant increase in the activity of myeloperoxidase (MPO) due to DHP and/or ALG stimulation was recorded in TGMs, while a slight increase in MPO activity in RMs was recorded only upon stimulation with the higher amount of ALG. ALG in a positive dose-dependent manner stimulated the production of ROS and RNS by both RMS and TGMs. In all cases, except ROS production by RMs, the impact of ALG stimulation was mirrored in the outcome of ALG/DHP stimulation. Our results suggest that DHP/ALG exerts an immunomodulatory activity that could complement already reported antimicrobial activity and warrants further investigation on the use of DHP/ALG in the treatment of infectious diseases

Potentially inappropriate prescribing in elderly patients across healthcare settings: application of STOPP/START version 2 criteria

The increasing number of multimorbid patients with complex drug regimens leads to a higher prevalence of inappropriate prescribing with severe health issues and socioeconomic outcomes. The study aimed to compare the prevalence, types and factors associated with the STOPP/START version 2 criteria across the inpatient, outpatient and community settings. An observational study comprised 240 inpatients, 200 outpatients and 440 patients attending community pharmacies. At least one STOPP criterion was present in 49 - 74.2% of patients, and the START prevalence ranged from 39.5 - 53.3%. The extent of inappropriate prescribing was the lowest in the outpatients, followed by the community-dwelling patients, and the highest among the inpatients. The most common STOPP criteria were drug indication (35.6%), followed by fall-risk drugs (32.3%), central nervous system (28.3%), and cardiovascular system (11.7%). In almost one-third of outpatients (31.5%) and community-dwelling patients (31.8%), up to 41.3% of inpatients, we found underprescribing cardiovascular system drugs. The study revealed a high prevalence of STOPP/START v2 criteria across the inpatient, outpatient and community settings. The highest frequency of inappropriate prescribing was observed during hospital stays when morbid and therapy states in elderly patients become even more challenging. However, the observed increase in the prevalence of inappropriate prescribing during hospitalisation indicates the opportunity to tailor the patient’s therapy in timely collaboration with specialists using up-to-date clinical prescribing tools