ISHRANA GRABLJIVIH VRSTA RIBA I NJIHOV UTICAJ NA ODRŽANJE STABILNOSTI AKUMULACIJE BOVAN

The aim of this study was to investigate the diet of adult predatory fish (pikeperch, perch, pike, and catfish) that inhabit the Bovan reservoir and determine their impact on the ecological stability of the reservoir. The results showed that predators most often used planktivorous fish species in their diet, including bleak, roach, and perch. These species are dominant prey to predators, and at the same time important links in food chains. By feeding on planktivorous fish, predatory fish can contribute to the reduction of the eutrophication of the reservoir and keep this ecosystem stable.Publishe

The first observation of the presence of microplastics in wild common bleak (Alburnus alburnus L.) and standardization of extraction protocols

The presence of microplastics (MPs) in the gastrointestinal tract, muscle, and whole-body samples of common bleak Alburnus alburnus L. from Gruža Reservoir (Central Serbia) was studied for the first time. Different protocols for MPs extraction were applied to determine the most efficient one. The study aimed to modify existing protocols to be cost-effective, efficient in digestion, and with no detrimental effect on potentially present MPs polymers. In this study, the digestion with 10% KOH during 48 h at 40°C was efficient for the gastrointestinal tract and muscle. Digestion with 10% KOH during 72 h at 40°C was the most efficient for whole-body samples. The usage of NaClO proved successful in digestion of the gastrointestinal tract overnight at room temperature. Fibers detected in the samples are assumed to be of plastic origin. The general goal was to establish a protocol for extracting MPs from fish tissue in wild populations to obtain results and determine the degree of pollution.Publishe

Screen-film versus full-field digital mammography: Radiation dose and image quality in a large teaching hospital

The objective of this paper is to measure the radiation dose and image quality in conventional screen-film mammography and full-field digital mammography in women referred to mammography examination. Participants underwent bilateral, two-view screen-film mammography or full-field digital mammography. The visibility of anatomical regions and overall clinical image quality was rated by experienced radiologists. Total of 387 women and 1548 mammograms were enrolled in the study. Image quality was assessed in terms of image quality score, whereas patient dose assessment was performed in terms of mean glandular dose. Average mean glandular dose for cranio-caudal projection was 1.5 mGy and 2.1 mGy in full-field digital mammography and screen-film mammography, respectively. For medio-lateral oblique projection, corresponding values were 2.3 and 2.1 mGy. Overall image quality criteria scoring was 0.82 and 0.99 for screen-film and digital systems, respectively. The scores were in the range from 0.11 to 1.0 for different anatomical structures. Overall, full-field digital mammography was superior both in terms of image quality and dose over the screen-film mammography. The results have indicated that phantom dose values can assist in setting the optimisation activities in mammography and for comparison between mammography units. To obtain accurate diagnostic information with an acceptable radiation dose to breast, it is necessary to periodically perform patient dose and image quality surveys in all mammography units

Novel anthraquinone based chalcone analogues containing an imine fragment: Synthesis, cytotoxicity and anti-angiogenic activity

A new class of imine derivatives of hybrid chalcone analogues containing anthraquinone scaffold was synthesized and evaluated for their in vitro cytotoxic activity against HeLa, LS174, and A549 cancer cells. The compound 5n with furan ring linked to imino group showed potent activity against all target cells with IC50 values ranging from 1.76 to 6.11 mu M. A mode of action study suggested that compounds induced changes typical for apoptosis in HeLa cells. The most active compounds inhibited tubulogenesis and 5h was found to exhibit a strong anti-angiogenic effect

Lady’s Bedstraw as a Powerful Antioxidant for Attenuation of Doxorubicin-Induced Cardiotoxicity

This study aimed to examine the effects of a 14-day treatment with lady’s bedstraw methanol extract on doxorubicin-induced cardiotoxicity through functional, biochemical and histological examinations. We used 24 male Wistar albino rats divided into the following groups: control (CTRL), doxorubicin (DOX), and DOX + GVE (Galium verum extract). GVE was administered orally at a dose of 50 mg/kg per day for 14 days, while a single dose of doxorubicin was injected into the DOX groups. After accomplishing treatment with GVE, cardiac function was assessed, which determined the redox state. During the autoregulation protocol on the Langendorff apparatus, ex vivo cardiodynamic parameters were measured. Our results demonstrated that the consumption of GVE effectively suppressed the disturbed response of the heart to changes in perfusion pressures caused by administration of DOX. Intake of GVE was associated with a reduction in most of the measured prooxidants in comparison to the DOX group. Moreover, this extract was capable of increasing the activity of the antioxidant defense system. Morphometric analyses showed that rat hearts treated with DOX showed more pronounced degenerative changes and necrosis compared to the CTRL group. However, GVE pretreatment seems to be able to prevent the pathological injuries caused by DOX injection via decrease in oxidative stress and apoptosis

Correlation of Redox Status with Procalcitonin and C-reactive Protein in Septic Patients

Based on the role of oxidative stress in the pathophysiological mechanisms of sepsis and the importance of PCT as a clinically applicable biomarker for early detection of inflammatory response initiation, we aimed this study at examining the correlation between PCT levels and oxidative stress parameters (prooxidants and antioxidants) in patients with sepsis. This study was designed as a case-series prospective clinical study which involved 103 critically ill patients and 17 healthy participants with diagnosis of sepsis/septic shock (over 18 years of age, both gender) admitted to the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) of Valjevo General Hospital in Serbia. All subjects were divided into patients who were operated on/underwent surgery before sampling and have sepsis (n=24), patients who were operated on/underwent surgery before sampling and have septic shock (n=25), patients who were not operated on/did not undergo surgery before sampling and have sepsis (n=26), patients who were not operated on/did not undergo surgery before sampling and have septic shock (n=28), and participants who are healthy (n=17). PCT has confirmed a positive correlation with prooxidants and type of critical illness, and performing surgical intervention diminished oxidative stress in patients with septic shock. Prognosis in critically ill patients was strongly associated with PCT levels but not with nonspecifically C-reactive protein

An Integrative in Silico Drug Repurposing Approach for Identification of Potential Inhibitors of SARS-CoV-2 Main Protease

Aims: An infectious disease (COVID-19) caused by the coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 emerged in Wuhan, China in December 2019. Currently, SARS-CoV-2 infected more than 9 million people and caused more than 450 000 deaths. Considering the urgent need for novel therapeutics, drug repurposing approach might offer rapid solutions comparing to de novo drug design. In this study, we investigated an integrative in silico drug repurposing approach as a valuable tool for rapid selection of potential candidates against SARS-CoV-2 Main Protease (Mpro).Main methods: To screen FDA-approved drugs, we designed an integrative in silico drug repurposing approach implementing structure-based molecular modelling techniques, physiologically-based pharmacokinetic (PBPK) modelling of drugs disposition and data-mining analysis of drug-gene-COVID-19 association.Key findings: Through the presented approach, 43 candidates with potential inhibitory effect on Mpro were selected and further evaluated according to the predictions of tissue disposition, drug-gene-COVID-19 associations and potential pleiotropic effects. We singled out 9 FDA approved drugs as the most promising for their profiling in COVID-19 drug discovery campaigns. Our results were in agreement with current experimental findings, which validate the applied integrative approach and may support clinical decisions for a novel epidemic wave of COVID-19.Significance: To the best of our knowledge, this is the first integrative in silico repurposing study for COVID-19 with a clear advantage in linking structure-based molecular modeling of Mpro inhibitors with predictions of tissue disposition, drug-gene-COVID-19 associations and prediction of pleiotropic effects of selected candidates.</div

Dehydrozingerone based 1-acetyl-5-aryl-4,5-dihydro-1H-pyrazoles: Synthesis, characterization and anticancer activity

A small series of 1-acetyl-5-aryl-4,5-dihydro-1H-pyrazoles (aryl = 4-hydroxy-3-methoxyphenyl and 4-alkoxy-3-methoxyphenyl) was prepared, starting from 4-(4-hydroxy-3-methoxyphenyl)-3-buten-2-one, dehydrozingerone, and its alkyl derivatives. Their in vitro cytotoxic activity against some cancer cell lines was tested, showing significant anticancer activity. All the new compounds were well characterized by IR, H-1, C-13 NMR and ESI-MS spectroscopy and physical data, whereas structures of two of them were determined by single crystal X-ray analysis. (C) 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved