Contribution to studies on white-tailed eagle (Haliaeetus albicilla Linnaeus, 1758) in Western Serbia and the Republic of Srpska

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Isolation of Yttrium and Strontium from Soil Samples and Rapid Determination of 90Sr

A procedure of yttrium and strontium separation from calcium and other cations has been developed for rapid determination of 90Sr in soil samples. The procedure involves yttrium, strontium and other cations bound on cation exchanger AMBERLITE IR-120, separtion of yttrium and strontium from other cations, e.g. potassium, calcium, sodium, barium, on anion exchangers AMBERLITE CG-400 or DOWEX AG 1 × 8 with 0.25 mol l-1 HNO3 in alcohol mixture as eluent, separation of yttrium from strontium on cation exchanger DOWEX 50 × 8 with 3 mol l-1 HNO3, and determination of 90Sr on the low-level gas-flow β-counter and by Cherenkow counting on the liquid-scintillation counter. It has been shown that this procedure might be successfully applied in rapid determination of 90Sr, in a timesaving manner and without application of strong, concentrated acids. The method is appropriate for determination of the water soluble fraction of 90Sr in different kinds of environmental samples (milk, water, wine, vegetables, etc.) with some modification of the sample preparation procedure

Contribution to studies on white-tailed eagle (Haliaeetus albicilla Linnaeus, 1758) in Western Serbia and the Republic of Srpska

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In vitro interaction between Agrimonia eupatoria L. extracts and antibiotic

Synergistic activity between water, acetone, ethanol and diethyl ether extract of Agrimonia eupatoria L. and commonly used antibiotic (ampicillin) were evaluated. Escherichia coli, Proteus mirabilis, Klebsiella pneumoniae and Pseudomonas aeruginosa were used. Interaction between plant extracts and antibiotic were tested by checkerboard method and expressed as fractional inhibitory concentration (FIC) index showed indifferent, additive and synergistic effects. Synergism was observed against E. coli for every combination of agents. FICI values were ranged from 0.03 to 0.29. Inhibitory concentration (IC50) was evaluated for every combination of tested extracts and antibiotic and the best combinations for every tested bacteria were combination of diethyl ether extract + ampicillin and combination of acetone extract + ampicillin

Isolation of Yttrium and Strontium from Soil Samples and Rapid Determination of 90Sr

A procedure of yttrium and strontium separation from calcium and other cations has been developed for rapid determination of 90Sr in soil samples. The procedure involves yttrium, strontium and other cations bound on cation exchanger AMBERLITE IR-120, separtion of yttrium and strontium from other cations, e.g. potassium, calcium, sodium, barium, on anion exchangers AMBERLITE CG-400 or DOWEX AG 1 × 8 with 0.25 mol l-1 HNO3 in alcohol mixture as eluent, separation of yttrium from strontium on cation exchanger DOWEX 50 × 8 with 3 mol l-1 HNO3, and determination of 90Sr on the low-level gas-flow β-counter and by Cherenkow counting on the liquid-scintillation counter. It has been shown that this procedure might be successfully applied in rapid determination of 90Sr, in a timesaving manner and without application of strong, concentrated acids. The method is appropriate for determination of the water soluble fraction of 90Sr in different kinds of environmental samples (milk, water, wine, vegetables, etc.) with some modification of the sample preparation procedure

Enterobacteriaceae in food safety with an emphasis on raw milk and meat

There has been a growing interest in traditional dairy (such as raw milk cheeses) and meat products, in recent years. However, these products are suitable and nutrient medium and may be easily contaminated by microorganisms such as Enterobacteriaceae. Enterobacteriaceae are considered to be the indicator bacteria for microbiological quality of food and hygiene status of a production process. Additionally, the food contaminated by Enterobacteriaceae poses a microbiological risk for consumers. In fact, the contamination of raw milk and meat by Enterobacteriaceae amid manufacturing may easily occur from various environmental sources, and this group of bacteria is frequently detected in dairy and meat products. Therefore, monitoring the microbiological quality of the used raw material and maintaining high standards of hygiene in the production process are mandatory for a high quality of traditional products and the safety of the potential consumers. The goal of this review is to present the most recent survey on Enterobacteriaceae growth, number, and distribution in raw milk cheeses and meat, as well as to discuss the sources of contamination and methods of control.Accepted for publishin

Antimicrobial, antioxidant and antibiofilm activity of extracts of Melilotus officinalis (L.) Pall.

In this paper, the antioxidant and antimicrobial activity, the concentrations of total phenols, flavonoids, tannins and proanthocyanidins in the water, acetone, diethyl ether and ethanol extracts of Melilotus officinalis L. were analysed and their effect on the bacterial biofilm formation. The highest concentration of total phenols (36.25 mgGA/g) and tannins (21.25 mgGA/g) were detected in the water extract. The highest concentration of flavonoids (53.09 mgRU/g) was detected in the acetone extract. Proanthocyanidins were not detected in the water extract, while the highest concentration of these compounds was measured in the acetone extract (3.77 mgCChE/g). The antioxidant and reducing power of the M. officinalis extracts were measured by spectrophotometric method, and all results were compared to vitamin C and water extract of Aronia melanocarpa. The water extract showed the highest antioxidant activity, while the diethyl ether extract the lowest one. The extent of reducing power in the examined extracts was various. The water extract demonstrated the highest activity and the absorbance was from 0.03 to 0.68, while the lowest reducing power was demonstrated in the diethyl ether extract whose absorbance was from 0.04 to 0.20. In vitro antimicrobial activity was tested by microdilution method determining the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum microbicidal concentration (MMC). 25 microorganisms were examined, including 19 species of bacteria and 6 species of fungi. The extracts showed greater effect on G+ bacteria than on the G- bacteria. The acetone extract showed the highest antimicrobial activity. The acetone extract inhibit the biofilm formation of bacteria Proteus mirabilis and Pseudomonas aeruginosa.Publishe

Escherichia coli biofilm formation and control by phenolic compounds from Salvia officinalis L. extracts

Biofilm is recognized as one of the virulence factors of uropathogenic Escherichia coli. It offers bacteria significantly increased tolerance to antibiotics and makes difficulties in infection eradication. In this study, the biofilm formation ability of clinical isolates of uropathogenic E. coli as well as the antibiofilm activity of the common Garden sage, Salvia officinalis L. extracts were investigated in vitro. The influence of growth conditions (nutrient composition and incubation period) on biofilm formation of E. coli strains was evaluated using crystal violet staining procedure. The tested strains better formed biofilms after a longer incubation period (48 h). In addition, biofilm formation depended on nutrient medium composition. The eight strains were slime producers (Congo red agar assay). The water, ethanol, acetone and diethyl ether S. officinalis extracts were screened for their ability to inhibit the formation and metabolic activity of E. coli biofilms using crystal violet and resazurin assay, respectively. The water extract was not active, while ethanol, acetone and diethyl ether extract exhibited antibiofilm activity (MBIC= 2.5-10 mg/mL). The microscopic visualization of treated E. coli LM1 biofilm has shown morphological and density changes. In addition, the concentrations of phenolic compounds were determined spectrophotometrically. The highest content of total phenolics was found in acetone extract while the flavonoids in water extract.

Atypical proliferating mucinous tumors of gigantic dimensions

Background. Ovarian tumors of low malignant potential (LMP) are also known as atypically proliferating tumors. Ovarian tumors of LPM account for approximately 15% of all epithelial ovarian cancers. Mean age of occurrence is 40 years and they are 15-20 cm in diameter. Case report. A 32-year-old female patient was hospitalized as an urgent case with a large tumor mass that filled the entire abdomen. Cyst was 100 × 70 cm dimensions belonging to the right ovary and filled with 18 liters of content. Right adnexectomy, resection of the second ovary, as well as biopsy of the omentum were performed. Lymphadenectomy of the right iliac and obturator area was also performed. After receiving definitive histopathological results it was decided to perform a radical reoperation. On the 10th postoperative day relaparotomy, total hysterectomy and left adnexectomy were performed. The patient was released on the 6th postoperative day. She used to come to regular examinations up to date. Conclusion. This case is a proof that LMP tumors have low malignant potential, they grow slowly and can reach great proportions

CYTOKINE PROFILE IN RENAL TRANSPLANT PATIENTS IN A LONG-TERM PERIOD AFTER SURGERY

In the long-term period after kidney transplantation, a certain level of tissue inflammation and therefore the production of proinflammatory cytokines, including TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-18 and IL-2 can be found. The aim of our study was to determine the concentrations of TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-18, IL-2 and its soluble receptor (IL-2R) in renal transplant patients, regarding the length of the postoperative period. The study involved 65 patients, transplanted at least 12 months prior to our investigation, divided into three groups, regarding the time passed since the transplantation (12-24, 24-48, and >48 months consecutively). Concentrations of the cytokines in the plasma of the subjects were measured using ELISA method. Group I showed significantly higher concentrations of IL-1b compared to the III (p<0.05), IL-18 compared to the II and III (p<0.05) and TNF-a compared to the II (p<0.05). Cytokine concentrations correlated with the time passed since the transplantation (p<0.05), except for TNF-a. Interleukin-2 correlated negatively with IL-18 and immunosuppressant dosage (p<0.05). Interleukin-1b, IL-18 and TNF-α measurements should be considered for monitoring and detecting potentially subclinical allograft damage in the second year after surgery. However, the dynamics of the change of cytokine concentration may also have been altered by the components of the immunosuppressive protocols used, such as tacrolimus, which is a link that is yet to be examined