Perspectives for urban experts in future urban development and mobility practice in Serbia

The focus of this paper is in reviewing the possibilities of new designed and tested teaching concepts, methods and skills at the Faculty of Architecture Belgrade University (FABU) based on the contemporary theoretical and practical European approaches in the field of sustainable urban transport and mobility and implications for future urban experts in the field of urban development and mobility practice in Serbia. The importance of knowledge and information is rapidly rising in the knowledge economy especially in cities as nodes of production, processing, exchange and even trade of knowledge. Important role in that process which occurs in cities belongs to the Universities and research institutes, beside many other relevant actors like public authorities, NGO’s & CBO’s, private companies, civil society. In the process of Serbia’s accession to the EU the whole country is in the process of reform dealing with burdens from the past and aiming towards European values. Legislative as well as capacity building activities are present from the year of 2000 by democratically elected governments and by international NGO’s and official governmental organizations (EU commission…). FABU participates in the FP6 EU funded project ‘Sustainable Surface Transport’ as one of the partners in the project, disseminating knowledge on sustainable urban transport and mobility. The project has enormous importance for improvement of all our institutions in the field of clean and sustainable urban transport systems and promotion and participation of Serbia in European Union projects. Benefits of using ELTIS web site is that experts from various fields can expand their knowledge on sustainable urban transport and mobility systems using findings and specific experience from other countries. With the aim of disseminating knowledge on sustainable urban transport and mobility in Serbia the Faculty of Architecture realized several activities and results on urban transport and mobility issues: • Promotion of ELTIS web site on seminars, round tables and trainings delivery in Serbia to public sector representatives (ministries, local authorities, urban planning traffic departments), NGO’s (bicycle associations), private sector urban design offices. • Translation of 56 English case studies into Serbian language and 13 Serbian case studies accessible on the ELTIS web site. • In the education curriculum at the Bachelor level at the Faculty of Architecture new subject ‘’Mobility in cities’’ was established two years ago where students work with realized EU and Serbian case studies on sustainable urban transport and mobility and its implications on urban structure, compare EU & Serbian context and give recommendations in mentioned field in soft aspects for policy issues, urban planning & management concepts, and urban design. These new teaching concepts and methods designed & conducted by the authors of this paper were tested for 2 semesters and proved to add value to the knowledge and specific expert skills in two direct ways. One was that the increased demand from the students on sustainable design and urban mobility led to the additional subject ‘’Traffic in cites’’ introduced last year. Another direct result was visible in the Urban Design Projects on Bachelor and Master level of studies where students applied new knowledge and skills on aspects of urban design and planning of the development of cities and reaching liveable and healthy cities for all users in accordance with principles of sustainable mobility concepts. The paper explores and discuses new knowledge from the comparison of European and Serbian context and its applicability in the future urban development and mobility education and practice in Serbia

Territorial information systems (TIS) as an instrument for developing social capital in local communities in Serbia

The broad problem that will be elaboarated in the research is efficiency and effectivnes of traditional approach in Urban planning, currently still present in Serbia. Urban planning in Serbia is chaleneged by transitional trends such as decentralization, participation, colaboration and buildnig partnerships to tacle spatial problems in relation with new socio-economic space. The main problem elaborated in the paper lack of common understending for the need of building patrneships among institutions and local communities to tacle spatial problems. Therefore, research questions arising from the problem framework are: How to build partnerships, collaboration and social capital in the closed spaces within local communities such as Local Authorities, Public Companies, Civil society? Can Territorial information system be an instrument for building social capital? If it is so, how it can break barriers and build trust and collaboration? The hypotesis relevant to the problem is that level of social capital is in relation with data and information sharing among actors in local community. Level of social capital in local communities in Serbia vary, but it rearly goes beyond egocentric cocept where different stakeholders (individuals, institutions, organizations) use data and information to gain their personal interests, having low level of awareness of added value information sharing can bring and broaden framework of action and gain common interests as well as personal. In line whith this spatial organization and development is not managed properly, public interest is not fully recognized and phisical space is dominated by individual interests, producing negative externalities to environmental and equity issues. Therefore, the aim of the research is to identify forms of social capital that can be built through the implementation of Territorial information Systems in local communities. The forms of social capital, formal and informal such as institutional arangements, building trust, networking and cooperation will be elaborated trough analysis of TIS pilot projects case studies implemented in six municipalities in Serbia in the period of 2005-08. The results of the research should show what level of social capital is needed as a precondition for data and information sharing, and what kind of social capital with positive externalities can be developed through implementation of TIS

NMDA Receptor Antagonist Memantine Ameliorates Experimental Autoimmune Encephalomyelitis in Aged Rats

Aging is closely related to the main aspects of multiple sclerosis (MS). The average age of the MS population is increasing and the number of elderly MS patients is expected to increase. In addition to neurons, N-methyl-D-aspartate receptors (NMDARs) are also expressed on non-neuronal cells, such as immune cells. The aim of this study was to investigate the role of NMDARs in experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) in young and aged rats. Memantine, a non-competitive NMDAR antagonist, was administered to young and aged Dark Agouti rats from day 7 after immunization. Antagonizing NMDARs had a more favourable effect on clinical disease, reactivation, and apoptosis of CD4+ T cells in the target organ of aged EAE rats. The expression of the fractalkine receptor CX3CR1 was increased in memantine-treated rats, but to a greater extent in aged rats. Additionally, memantine increased Nrf2 and Nrf2-regulated enzymes’ mRNA expression in brain tissue. The concentrations of superoxide anion radicals, malondialdehyde, and advanced oxidation protein products in brain tissue were consistent with previous results. Overall, our results suggest that NMDARs play a more important role in the pathogenesis of EAE in aged than in young rats

Altered Mitochondrial Function in MASLD: Key Features and Promising Therapeutic Approaches

Metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD), formerly known as nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), encompasses a range of liver conditions from steatosis to nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). Its prevalence, especially among patients with metabolic syndrome, highlights its growing global impact. The pathogenesis of MASLD involves metabolic dysregulation, inflammation, oxidative stress, genetic factors and, notably, mitochondrial dysfunction. Recent studies underscore the critical role of mitochondrial dysfunction in MASLD’s progression. Therapeutically, enhancing mitochondrial function has gained interest, along with lifestyle changes and pharmacological interventions targeting mitochondrial processes. The FDA’s approval of resmetirom for metabolic-associated steatohepatitis (MASH) with fibrosis marks a significant step. While resmetirom represents progress, further research is essential to understand MASLD-related mitochondrial dysfunction fully. Innovative strategies like gene editing and small-molecule modulators, alongside lifestyle interventions, can potentially improve MASLD treatment. Drug repurposing and new targets will advance MASLD therapy, addressing its increasing global burden. Therefore, this review aims to provide a better understanding of the role of mitochondrial dysfunction in MASLD and identify more effective preventive and treatment strategies

The Role of Macrophage Inhibitory Factor in TAA-Induced Liver Fibrosis in Mice: Modulatory Effects of Betaine

Macrophage inhibitory factor (MIF) is a multipotent cytokine, involved in the inflammatory response to infections or injuries. This study investigates the role of MIF in liver fibrosis and the modulating effect of betaine on MIF in thioacetamide (TAA)-induced liver fibrosis. The wild-type and knockout MIF−/− C57BL/6 mice were divided into the following groups: control; Bet group, which received betaine; MIF−/−; MIF−/−+Bet; TAA group, which received TAA; TAA+Bet; MIF−/−+TAA; and MIF−/−+TAA+Bet group. After eight weeks of treatment, liver tissue was collected for further analysis. The results revealed that TAA-treated MIF-deficient mice had elevated levels of hepatic TGF-β1 and PDGF-BB, as well as MMP-2, MMP-9, and TIMP-1 compared to TAA-treated wild-type mice. However, the administration of betaine to TAA-treated MIF-deficient mice reduced hepatic TGF-β1 and PDGF-BB levels and also the relative activities of MMP-2, MMP-9 and TIMP-1, albeit less effectively than in TAA-treated mice without MIF deficiency. Furthermore, the antifibrogenic effect of MIF was demonstrated by an increase in MMP2/TIMP1 and MMP9/TIMP1 ratios. The changes in the hepatic levels of fibrogenic factors were confirmed by a histological examination of liver tissue. Overall, the dual nature of MIF highlights its involvement in the progression of liver fibrosis. Its prooxidant and proinflammatory effects may exacerbate tissue damage and inflammation initially, but its antifibrogenic activity suggests a potential protective role against fibrosis development. The study showed that betaine modulates the antifibrogenic effects of MIF in TAA-induced liver fibrosis, by decreasing TGF-β1, PDGF-BB, MMP-2, MMP-9, TIMP-1, and the deposition of ECM (Coll1 and Coll3) in the liver

GSTM1-null and GSTT1-active genotypes as risk determinants of primary open angle glaucoma among smokers

AIM: To evaluate glutathione transferase theta 1 and mu 1 (GSTT1 and GSTM1) polymorphisms as determinants of primary open angle glaucoma (POAG) risk, independently or in combination with cigarette smoking, hypertension and diabetes mellitus. METHODS: A case-control study with 102 POAG patients and 202 age and gender-matched controls was carried out. Multiplex-polymerase chain reaction method was used for the analysis of GSTM1 and GSTT1 polymorphisms. The differences between two groups were tested by the t-test or chi(2) test. Logistic regression analysis was used for assessing the risk for disease development. RESULTS: The presence of GSTM1-null genotype did not contribute independently towards the risk of POAG. However, individuals with GSTT1-active genotype were at almost two-fold increased risk to develop glaucoma (P=0.044) which increased up to 4.36 when combined with GSTM1-null carriers (P=0.024). When glutathione transferase (GST) genotypes were analyzed in association with cigarette smoking, hypertension and diabetes, only carriers of GSTT1-active genotype had significantly increased risk of POAG development in comparison with GSTT1-null genotype individuals with no history of smoking, hypertension and diabetes, respectively (OR=3.52, P=0.003; OR=10.02, P lt 0.001; OR=4.53, P=0.002). CONCLUSION: The results obtained indicate that both GSTM1-null and GSTT1-active genotypes are associated with increased POAG risk among smokers, suggesting potential gene-environment interaction in glaucoma development

The Effects of alpha-Lipoic Acid on Liver Oxidative Stress and Free Fatty Acid Composition in Methionine-Choline Deficient Diet-Induced NAFLD

Development of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) occurs through initial steatosis and subsequent oxidative stress. The aim of this study was to examine the effects of -lipoic acid (LA) on methionine-choline deficient (MCD) diet-induced NAFLD in mice. Male C57BL/6 mice (n=21) were divided into three groups (n=7 per group): (1) control fed with standard chow, (2) MCD2 groupfed with MCD diet for 2 weeks, and (3) MCD2+LA group2 weeks on MCD receiving LA i.p. 100mg/kg/day. After the treatment, liver samples were taken for pathohistology, oxidative stress parameters, antioxidative enzymes, and liver free fatty acid (FFA) composition. Mild microvesicular hepatic steatosis was found in MCD2 group, while it was reduced to single fat droplets evident in MCD2+LA group. Lipid peroxidation and nitrosative stress were increased by MCD diet, while LA administration induced a decrease in liver malondialdehyde and nitrates+nitrites level. Similary, LA improved liver antioxidative capacity by increasing total superoxide dismutase (tSOD), manganese SOD (MnSOD), and copper/zinc-SOD (Cu/ZnSOD) activity as well as glutathione (GSH) content. Liver FFA profile has shown a significant decrease in saturated acids, arachidonic, and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), while LA treatment increased their proportions. It can be concluded that LA ameliorates lipid peroxidation and nitrosative stress in MCD diet-induced hepatic steatosis through an increase in SOD activity and GSH level. In addition, LA increases the proportion of palmitic, stearic, arachidonic, and DHA in the fatty liver. An increase in DHA may be a potential mechanism of anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects of LA in MCD diet-induced NAFLD

Acetylcholinesterase as a potential target of acute neurotoxic effects of lindane in rats

Abstract. The aim of our study was to investigate the possible involvement of acetylcholinesterase (AchE) in mediating the early phase of acute lindane neurotoxicity in rats. Male Wistar rats (n = 48) were divided into following groups: 1. control, saline-treated group; 2. dimethylsulfoxidetreated group; 3. group that received lindane dissolved in dimethylsulfoxide, in a dose of 8 mg/kg intraperitoneally. Eight animals from each group were sacrificed 0.5 and 4 h after treatment and brain samples were prepared for further analysis. AchE activity (mitochondrial and synaptosomal fraction) was determined in cerebral cortex, thalamus, hippocampus and nc. caudatus spectrophotometrically. A significant increase in mitochondrial AchE activity was detected in cortex and nc. caudatus of lindane-treated animals 0.5 h after administration (p < 0.05). This rise was sustained in nc. caudatus within 4 h after treatment (p < 0.05). In contrast, activity of synaptosomal AchE fraction was significantly increased only in thalamus 4 h after lindane administration (p < 0.05). An increase in AchE activity may be involved in mediating acute neurotoxic effects of lindane, at least in some brain structures in rats

Monolacunary Wells-Dawson Polyoxometalate as a Novel Contrast Agent for Computed Tomography: A Comprehensive Study on In Vivo Toxicity and Biodistribution

Polyoxotungstate nanoclusters have recently emerged as promising contrast agents for computed tomography (CT). In order to evaluate their clinical potential, in this study, we evaluated the in vitro CT imaging properties, potential toxic effects in vivo, and tissue distribution of monolacunary Wells–Dawson polyoxometalate, α2-K10P2W17O61.20H2O (mono-WD POM). Mono-WD POM showed superior X-ray attenuation compared to other tungsten-containing nanoclusters (its parent WD-POM and Keggin POM) and the standard iodine-based contrast agent (iohexol). The calculated X-ray attenuation linear slope for mono-WD POM was significantly higher compared to parent WD-POM, Keggin POM, and iohexol (5.97 ± 0.14 vs. 4.84 ± 0.05, 4.55 ± 0.16, and 4.30 ± 0.09, respectively). Acute oral (maximum-administered dose (MAD) = 960 mg/kg) and intravenous administration (1/10, 1/5, and 1/3 MAD) of mono-WD POM did not induce unexpected changes in rats’ general habits or mortality. Results of blood gas analysis, CO-oximetry status, and the levels of electrolytes, glucose, lactate, creatinine, and BUN demonstrated a dose-dependent tendency 14 days after intravenous administration of mono-WD POM. The most significant differences compared to the control were observed for 1/3 MAD, being approximately seventy times higher than the typically used dose (0.015 mmol W/kg) of tungsten-based contrast agents. The highest tungsten deposition was found in the kidney (1/3 MAD—0.67 ± 0.12; 1/5 MAD—0.59 ± 0.07; 1/10 MAD—0.54 ± 0.05), which corresponded to detected morphological irregularities, electrolyte imbalance, and increased BUN levels