Determination of bisphenol A traces in water samples from the Vrbas River and its tributaries, Bosnia and Herzegovina

The bisphenol A (BPA) concentration was determined in 12 surface water samples of the Vrbas River and its five tributaries. The samples were taken in the area that belongs to the city of Banja Luka (Bosnia and Herzegovina). BPA was isolated using micro liquid-liquid extraction followed by derivatization and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry analysis (GC-MS). Silylation was used as a derivatization method to increase volatility and allow the GC-MS determination of BPA. The limits of detection (LOD) and quantification (LOQ), obtained by validating the procedure, were determined at 4 and 10 ng L-1, respectively. The concentrations of BPA were ranged between 33 and 354 ng L-1, and all were above the LOQ value. The lowest amount of BPA was found in the sample collected in the river Vrbas, near Švrakava estuary upstream from the city of Banja Luka. The highest concentration of BPA was recorded at the confluence of the Crkvena and Vrbas rivers, which is located in the city center. This study shows that population and human activity could affect the level of BPA in the environment

Katalizatori u ko-pirolizi biomase i polimera

U zavisnosti od odabranog izvora energije, kao i željenog proizvoda, postoji niz načina konverzije energije iz jednog oblika u drugi. U slučaju konverzije energije biomase u biogoriva, najčešće se koristi proces pirolize. Intenzivnim istraživanjima proces pirolize biomase do biogoriva je optimizovan do zavidnog nivoa. Kombinovanjem različitih sirovina (kao npr. biomasa sa polimerima), pri različitim uslovima pirolize (u različitim reaktorima i u prisustvu različitih katalizatora), naučnici se nalaze na samo korak do pronalaska najoptimalnijeg procesa za konverziju energije iz obnovljivih izvora (poput biomase) do biogoriva, čiji će kvalitet i prinos omogućiti da tako dobijeno gorivo bude dostojan konkurent fosilnim gorivima

The influence of physical exertion on basic hematological parameters values and heart rate in trotters

One of very important prerequisites for achieving good results in races, in addition to genetic predisposition, quality training and good health, are optimal values for number of erythrocytes, concentration of haemoglobin and hematocrit, of which depends efficient oxygen supply of muscles during great efforts. The stated values, along with data on heart rate, are useful indicators of the degree of horse fitness and readiness for horse race. The influence of physical exertion on the values of basic hematological parameters as well as on heart rate, was investigated on 6 trotters, in training at the Belgrade racetrack (one head of Italian trotter, male, 3 years old; 3 heads of American trotter, male, 3,4 and 6 years old and two heads of Serbian trotter, female, 4 and 5 years old). The blood samples for hematological tests were taken by punction of jugular vein in resting phase - immediately before the commencement of work, after light trot warming for 3000 m and fast trot for 1000 m, with 30 minutes rest between the two runnings. The heart rate was monitored continuously by radio telemetry cardiometer, from the moment they were taken from their boxes and harnessing to the completion of work. The obtained results confirm the relationship between the rise of heart rate and hematocrit values: maximal hematocrit values were determined after the first running (0.49±0.05, in regard to 0.42±0.03 in resting phase), but 30 minutes after the second running there was a slight drop of hematocrit values (0.46±0.04). The blood samples in both cases were taken after fast trot during which there were recorded maximal pulse values, so in the moment of sampling the pulse lowered close to the values in resting - after the first running from 192.23±19.66, and after the second from 180.33±17.22 to 40.67±5.76

Uticaj fizičkog opterećenja na vrednosti osnovnih hematoloških parametara i frekvencu srčanog rada kod kasača

One of very important prerequisites for achieving good results in races, in addition to genetic predisposition, quality training and good health, are optimal values for number of erythrocytes, concentration of haemoglobin and hematocrit, of which depends efficient oxygen supply of muscles during great efforts. The stated values, along with data on heart rate, are useful indicators of the degree of horse fitness and readiness for horse race. The influence of physical exertion on the values of basic hematological parameters as well as on heart rate, was investigated on 6 trotters, in training at the Belgrade racetrack (one head of Italian trotter, male, 3 years old; 3 heads of American trotter, male, 3,4 and 6 years old and two heads of Serbian trotter, female, 4 and 5 years old). The blood samples for hematological tests were taken by punction of jugular vein in resting phase - immediately before the commencement of work, after light trot warming for 3000 m and fast trot for 1000 m, with 30 minutes rest between the two runnings. The heart rate was monitored continuously by radio telemetry cardiometer, from the moment they were taken from their boxes and harnessing to the completion of work. The obtained results confirm the relationship between the rise of heart rate and hematocrit values: maximal hematocrit values were determined after the first running (0.49±0.05, in regard to 0.42±0.03 in resting phase), but 30 minutes after the second running there was a slight drop of hematocrit values (0.46±0.04). The blood samples in both cases were taken after fast trot during which there were recorded maximal pulse values, so in the moment of sampling the pulse lowered close to the values in resting - after the first running from192.23±19.66, and after the second from 180.33±17.22 to 40.67±5.76.Jedan od važnijih preduslova za postizanje dobrih rezultata na trkama, pored genetske predispozicije, kvalitetnog treninga i dobrog zdravlja, predstavljaju optimalne vrednosti za broj eritrocita, koncentraciju hemoglobina i hematokrit, od kojih zavisi efikasno snabdevanje mišića kiseonikom za vreme velikih napora. Navedene vrednosti, u kombinaciji sa podacima o frekvenciji srčanog rada, predstavljaju korisne pokazatelje štepena treniranosti i spremnosti konja za trku. Uticaj fizičkog opterećenja na vrednosti osnovnih hematoloških parametara i frekvenciju srčanog rada ispitanje na 6 kasača na Hipodromu Beograd (jedno grlo italijanskog kasača, muškog pola, staro 3 godine; 3 grla američkog kasača, muškog pola, stara 3, 4 i 6 godina i dva grla srpskog kasača, ženskog pola, stara 4 i 5 godina). Uzorci krvi za hematološka ispitivanja uzimani su punkcijom v. jugularis u mirovanju neposredno pred početak rada, posle zagrevanja laganim kasom na 3000 m i brzog kasa na 1000 m, zatim, neposredno nakon drugog brzog kasa na 1000 m, uz odmor od 30 minuta između dva istrčavanja. Frekvencija pulsa je praćena kontinuirano radiotelemetrijskim kardiometrom, od momenta izvođenja iz boksa i prezanja do završetka rada. Dobijeni rezultati potvrđuju vezu između povećanja frekvencije pulsa i hematokritske vrednosti: maksimalne vrednosti hematokrita su utvrđene posle prvog istrčavanja (0,49±0,05, u odnosu pa 0,42±0,03 u mirovanju), da bi u drugom istrčavanju posle 30-minutnog odmora došlo do biagogpada hematokritske vrednosti (0,46±0,04). Uzorci krvi su u oba slučaja uzeti 15 minuta nakon brzog kasa u kome su zabeležene maksimalne vrednosti pulsa, tako da se u momentu uzorkovanja puls spustio nadomak vrednosti u mirovanju - u prvom istrčavanju sa 192,23±19,66 pa 53,66±6,66, a u drugom sa 180,33±17,22 na 40,67±5,76

The embryonic and post-embryonic development in two Drosophila species exposed to the static magnetic field of 60 mT

In this study, a static magnetic field influence on development and viability in two different species, Drosophila melanogaster and Drosophila hydei, was investigated. Both species completed development (egg--adult), in and out of the static magnetic field induced by double horseshoe magnet. Treated vials with eggs were placed in the gap between magnetic poles (47 mm) and exposed to the average magnetic induction of 60 mT, while control ones were kept far enough from magnetic field source. We found that exposure to the static magnetic field reduced development time in both species, but statistical significance was found only for D. hydei. Furthermore, we found that the average viability of both Drosophila species exposed to the magnetic field was significantly weaker compared to control ones. These results indicate that 60 mT static magnetic field could be considered as a potential stressor, influencing on different levels the embryonic and post-embryonic development of individuals.</.Ministry of Education and Science Development, Republic of Serbia [173012, 173027

The embryonic and post-embryonic development in two Drosophila species exposed to the static magnetic field of 60 mT

In this study, a static magnetic field influence on development and viability in two different species, Drosophila melanogaster and Drosophila hydei, was investigated. Both species completed development (egg--adult), in and out of the static magnetic field induced by double horseshoe magnet. Treated vials with eggs were placed in the gap between magnetic poles (47 mm) and exposed to the average magnetic induction of 60 mT, while control ones were kept far enough from magnetic field source. We found that exposure to the static magnetic field reduced development time in both species, but statistical significance was found only for D. hydei. Furthermore, we found that the average viability of both Drosophila species exposed to the magnetic field was significantly weaker compared to control ones. These results indicate that 60 mT static magnetic field could be considered as a potential stressor, influencing on different levels the embryonic and post-embryonic development of individuals.</.Ministry of Education and Science Development, Republic of Serbia [173012, 173027

Unexpected TBEV Seropositivity in Serbian Patients Who Recovered from Viral Meningitis and Encephalitis

The tick-borne encephalitis virus (TBEV) causes a life-threatening disease named Tick-borne encephalitis (TBE). The clinical symptoms associated with TBE range from non-specific to severe inflammation of the central nervous system and are very similar to the clinical presentation of other viral meningitis/encephalitis. In consequence, TBE is often misclassified by clinical physicians, mainly in the non-identified high-risk areas where none or only a few TBE cases have been reported. Considering this situation, we hypothesized that among persons from northern Serbia who recovered from viral meningitis or encephalitis, there would be evidence of TBEV infection. To test this hypothesis, in this observational study, we evaluated the seroreactivity against TBEV antigens in patients from northern Serbia who were hospitalized due to viral meningitis and/or viral encephalitis of unknown etiology. Three cases of seroreactivity to TBEV antigens were discovered among convalescent patients who recovered from viral meningitis and/or encephalitis and accepted to participate in the study (n = 15). The clinical and laboratory findings of these patients overlap with that of seronegative convalescent patients. Although TBE has been a notifiable disease in Serbia since 2004, there is no active TBE surveillance program for the serologic or molecular screening of TBEV infection in humans in the country. This study highlights the necessity to increase the awareness of TBE among physicians and perform active and systematic screening of TBEV antibodies among patients with viral meningitis and/or encephalitis