Chloroplast pigments in post-fire-grown cryptophytes on Vidlič Mountain (Southeastern Serbia)

In this study the content of chloroplast pigments (chlorophyll a, b, a+b, and carotenoids) in the leaves of Geranium macrorrhizum L., Doronicum columnae Ten., Aegopodium podagraria L. and Tussilago farfara L. from a beech forest that had undergone fire on Vidlič Mountain was determined. The same species of plants from a place that had not been exposed to fire were taken as controls. Chloroplast pigments were determined from acetone extracts of these plants spectrophotometrically. In the first year after the fire the content of chlorophyll a, b and a+b in Geranium macrorrhizum L. and Doronicum columnae Ten. was greater than in the plants not exposed to fire. The results were the opposite for Aegopodium podagraria L. and Tussilago farfara L. These differences can be attributed to the different physiology of the plants and consequently their different adaptation patterns. The carotenoid content was higher in the plant species at the fire site than in the area not exposed to fire

THE VARIABILITY OF MULTI-DRUG RESISTANCE ABCB1 GENE IN THE ROMA POPULATION FROM CROATIA

When overexpressed, a large transmembrane P-glycoprotein, the product of the ABCB1 gene, is a notable impediment to brain-targeted therapies (like antiepileptics) and chemotherapies. Some of the genetic biomarkers with evidence of multi-drug resistance in ABCB1 ― rs1045642, rs1128503, and rs3213619 ― were analyzed in 440 subjects, members of three socio-culturally different Roma (Gypsy) groups of Croatia. Minor allele frequencies (MAFs) of rs1045642 and rs1128503 were the highest in the Balkan Roma (63.6% and 69.4%, respectively) when compared to the Baranja (52.3% and 62.5%) and the Međimurje Roma (48.8% and 54.5%) (p=0.0005 and p=0.0011, respectively). rs3213619 was monomorphic in the Međimurje group, while its MAFs in other two Roma groups were very low (<1.9%). The distribution of five detected haplotypes (four in the Međimurje group) significantly differed between the Roma subpopulations (p<0.0001), just like the frequencies of diplotypes (p=0.0008). At a global scale, the positive relationship between genetic and geographic distances between the 21 investigated populations indicates isolation by spatial distance. However, this is not true for the relationship between Roma and other populations due to their population history. The analyzed ABCB1 loci indicate genetic distinctiveness of the Roma population

Non-invasive treatment of multiple enamel hypoplasia: A case report

Objective. Enamel hypoplasia is a quantitative disorder of enamel deposition during the secretory phase and is characterised by a deficiency of the enamel, while hypomineralization is a qualitative disorder caused by incomplete mineralization and maturation of the enamel, followed by the porosity of the solid dental tissues and the opalescent tooth colour. Clinically, hypoplasia is a risk for caries, tooth sensitivity, erosion, and affects the aesthetic appearance of a patient with a psychological connotation. The aim of the paper is to present the case report, the possibility of preventive measures and restorative treatments with minimally invasive requirements in these patients. Methods. At the Faculty of Medical Sciences, University of Kragujevac, in March 2018, a thirteen-year-old boy was diagnosed with isolated hypoplastic enamel defects on teeth 24, 25, 26, 33 and 34. Results. Enamel hypoplasia was diagnosed by anamnesis, clinical and radiological examination. Preventive measures and conservative interventions were used to prevent progressive abrasion and early tooth loss due to caries and its complications. Conclusion. Early diagnosis, timely preventive methods and minimally invasive restorative treatment can correct anomalies and prevent possible complications.Publishe

Screening of vascular calcifications in patients with end-stage renal diseases

Abstract. Vascular calcifications (VC) are a major contributor to the massively increased mortality in hemodialysis (HD) patients. The present study aimed to detect arterial media and intima calcifications in HD patients and to evaluate potential risk factors. 214 patients aged 59.0 ± 11.0 years on HD for 6.39 ± 4.59 years were studied. VC were scored based on to plain radiographs. Potential risk factors were assessed. Out of the 214 patients studied, only 14% did not display any detectable VC. Using plain radiographs calcifications could be detected in 136 (63.6%) patients. Calcified plaques on carotid arteries were detected in 168 (78.4%) patients. There was the highest frequency of patients with the most pronounced calcifications. Calcifications of heart valves were detected in 89 (44.1%) patients. Univariante analysis indicate that risk to develop VC is present in older patients, patients with longer dialysis vintage, thicker intima media, higher lumen diameter and mitral valve calcifications. Multivariate multinomial logistic regression analysis revealed these factors as independent predictors of VC in dialysis patients. Our data confirm a high prevalence of VC in HD patients, their association with older ages, longer dialysis vintage, and presence of valvular calcifications and early markers of atherosclerosis

Chemical composition and biological properties of Pelargonium graveolens, Leptospermum petersonii and Cymbopogon martinii var. motia essential oils and of Rosa centifolia absolute

Chemical composition of the essential oils (EO) of Pelargonium graveolens, Leptospermum petersonii and Cymbopogon martinii var. motia, and the absolute of Rosa centifolia and their bioactivity were examined. Major compounds in P. graveolens EO were monoterpene alcohols citronellol, geraniol and linalool; in L. petersonii EO monoterpene aldehydes geranial, neral and citronellal; in C. martiniii var. motia EO monoterpene alcohol geraniol and ester geranyl acetate, while in absolute of R. centifolia aromatic alcohol 2-phenylethanol. The EO of L. petersonii showed the strongest antibacterial while the EO of C. martinii var. motia the strongest antifungal potential. The best biofilm inhibition capacity was observed with R. centifolia absolute. The results of scanning electron microscopy analysis indicated that the EOs of L. petersonii and P. graveolens changed the number and morphology of C. albicans cells. The L. petersonii EO was the most potent toward tumour cells and exhibited the best biological activity. This is first comparative report summarizing efficacy of studied aromatic samples against pathogenic microbes, providing deeper insight into the modes of antimicrobial action, and at the same time describing their cytotoxicity against cell lines.The authors are grateful to the Ministry of Education, Science and Technological Development of Serbia (Grants No. 451-03-9/2021-14/200007 and 451-03-9/2021-14/200003).info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Biological Indication of Heavy Metal Pollution in the Areas of Donje Vlase and Cerje (Southeastern Serbia) Using Epiphytic Lichens

The performance of two epiphytic lichen species (Evernia prunastri (L.) Ach. and Parmelia sulcata Taylor) as bioindicators of heavy metal pollution in natural areas around the city of Nis (southeastern Serbia) were evaluated. The concentration of 19 heavy metals in lichen samples was measured by inductively coupled plasma-optical emission spectroscopy. For the majority of the elements the concentrations found in Parmelia sulcata Taylor were higher than in Evernia prunastri (L.) Ach. In addition, interspecific differences in heavy metal accumulation between Evernia prunastri (L.) Ach. and Parmelia sulcata Taylor are observed. Parmelia sulcata Taylor showed a tendency to accumulate Fe, Mn, Ni and Ti while Evernia prunastri (L.) Ach. preferentially concentrated Cu on both locations. A clear distinction between lithogenic (Mn-Cu-Ti) and atmospheric elements (Ni-Co-Cr-Ag-Pb-Hg) was achieved by cluster analysis

Aktivnost enzima katalaze i sadržaj organskih kiselina kod Hajdučke trave (Achillea millefolium) sa sanirane deponije „Žitkovac“ Rudarsko metalurško hemijskog kombinata „Trepča“

In this comparative study, the activity of enzyme catalase and total content of organic acids were determined in undergroung and above-ground plant parts of medicinal plant Achillea millefolium from tailing pond “Žitkovac” of Mining and Metallurgical Chemical Company „Trepča“ and from uncontaminated area near city of Niš. Catalase activity was measured using the gasometric method and the values obtained for this activity were expressed as ml of O2. The content of organic acids in the plant material was detrmined by modified titration method in the presence of indicator. An increased catalase activity on tailing pond, in comparison with uncontaminated habitat, is a result of stress that is caused by chemical changes in the soil on tailing pond representing good metabolic ways of detoxification, which belongs to the mechanisms of defence and acquiring resistance. An increased content of organic acids in samples on tailing pond is an efficient mechanism reducing the heavy metal uptake, binding them to complexes and allowing the plant growth at high level of contamination.U ovom komparativnom istraživanju određeni su aktivnost enzima katalaze i ukupan sadržaj organskih kiselina u podzemnim i nadzemnim delovima lekovite biljke hajdučka trava (Achillea millefolium) sa sanirane deponije „Žitkovac“ Rudarsko Metalurško Hemijskog Kombinata „Trepča“ i nezagađenog područja okoline Niša. Aktivnost katalaze je izmerena korišćenjem gasometrijske metode i izražena u ml kiseonika. Sadržaj organskih kiselina u bilјnom materijalu određen je modifikovanom metodom titracije u prisustvu indikatora. Uvećanje aktivnosti enzima katalaze kod uzoraka na deponiji u poređenju sa nezagađenim staništem je rezultat stresa uzrokovan hemijskim promenama u zemljištu i predstavlja metabolički vid razgradnje štetnih jedinjenja, odnosno detoksikacije, koja spada u kvalitetne mehanizme sticanja otpornosti, kao odgovor na izmenjene uslove u životnoj sredini. Povećan sadržaj organskih kiselina u uzorcima sa deponije je efikasan mehanizam, koji smanjuje unos teških metala u bilјku vezujući se za njih u komplekse i omogućava rast biljke pri visokom nivou kontaminacije