Mirasol PRT system inactivation efficacy evaluated in platelet concentrates by bacteria-contamination model

Background/Aim. Bacterial contamination of blood components, primarily platelet concentrates (PCs), has been identified as one of the most frequent infectious complications in transfusion practice. PC units have a high risk for bacterial growth/multiplication due to their storage at ambient temperature (20 ± 2°C). Consequences of blood contamination could be effectively prevented or reduced by pathogen inactivation systems. The aim of this study was to determine the Mirasol pathogen reduction technology (PRT) system efficacy in PCs using an artificial bacteria-contamination model. Methods. According to the ABO blood groups, PC units (n = 216) were pooled into 54 pools (PC-Ps). PC-Ps were divided into three equal groups, with 18 units in each, designed for an artificial bacteria-contamination. Briefly, PC-Ps were contaminated by Staphylococcus epidermidis, Staphylococcus aureus or Escherichia coli in concentrations 102 to 107 colony forming units (CFU) per unit. Afterward, PC-Ps were underwent to inactivation by Mirasol PRT system, using UV (l = 265-370 nm) activated riboflavin (RB). All PC-Ps were assayed by BacT/Alert Microbial Detection System for CFU quantification before and after the Mirasol treatment. Samples from non-inactivated PC-P units were tested after preparation and immediately following bacterial contamination. Samples from Mirasol treated units were quantified for CFUs one hour, 3 days and 5 days after inactivation. Results. A complete inactivation of all bacteria species was obtained at CFU concentrations of 102 and 103 per PC-P unit through storage/ investigation period. The most effective inactivation (105 CFU per PC-P unit) was obtained in Escherichia coli setting. Contrary, inactivation of all the three tested bacteria species was unworkable in concentrations of ≥ 106 CFU per PC-P unit. Conclusion. Efficient inactivation of investigated bacteria types with a significant CFU depletion in PC-P units was obtained - 3 Log for all three tested species, and 5 Log for Escherichia coli. The safety of blood component therapy, primarily the clinical use of PCs can be improved using the Mirasol PRT system

Limitations and opportunities for funding agriculture and rural development in the Republic of Serbia

Funding is one of the most important issues of agriculture and rural development of the Republic of Serbia, because insufficient financial resources allocated to this sector of the country's economy are considered the key limitation for better valorization of agricultural resources and the revitalization of rural areas. Agribusiness and rural development have a major socio-economic importance for the Republic of Serbia, which is supported by a number of strategic documents, development indicators and scientific and expert analysis implemented in the country and at a global level; therefore, the aim of this study is to determine whether it is necessary and possible to improve the funding of agricultural development and rural economy of the Republic of Serbia, in current conditions. The survey results indicate potential sources, i.e., the possible ways of funding agriculture and non-agricultural activities in the rural areas of the Republic of Serbia.Publishe

Effects of tannic acid on trypsin and leucine aminopeptidase activities in gypsy moth larval midgut

The effects of allelochemical stress on genetic variations in the specific activities of gypsy moth digestive enzymes (trypsin and leucine aminopeptidase) and relative midgut mass (indirect measure of food consumption), as well as variability in their plasticity, were investigated in fifth instar gypsy moths originating from two populations with different trophic adaptations (oak and locust-tree forests). Thirty-two full-sib families from the Quercus population and twenty-six full-sib families from the Robinia population were reared on an artificial diet with or without supplementation with tannic acid. Between population differences were observed as higher average specific activity of trypsin and relative midgut mass in larvae from the Robinia population. Significant broad-sense heritabilities were observed for the specific activity of trypsin in the control state, and for specific activity of leucine aminopeptidase in a stressful environment. Significantly lower heritability for relative midgut mass was recorded in larvae from the Robinia population reared under stressful conditions. Significant variability of trypsin plasticity in larvae from both populations and significant variability of leucine aminopeptidase plasticity in larvae from the Robinia population point to the potential for the evolution of enzyme adaptive plastic responses to the presence of stressor. Non-significant across-environment genetic correlations do not represent a constraint for the evolution of enzyme plasticity. [Projekat Ministarstva nauke Republike Srbije, br. 173027

DYNAMIC BEHAVIOUR OF HOT WATER BOILERS DURING START UP

The most commonly used central units in the district heating system are most certainly hot water boilers. Experience in exploitation as well as their former development have given rise to new demands and possibilities of using hot water boilers for achieving a more efficient utilization of fuel. Yet, the current trend is not only for an efficient operation in terms of energy efficiency of primary fuel, but it also comprises many strict requirements when it comes to a cost-effective, reliable and safe operation. A mathematical - empirical model of the hot water boiler during the start-up process is presented in this paper. The dynamic behavior of the object will be discussed in the start-up regime because it represents one of the most critical transient regimes during the operation

Extramedullary plasmacytoma of the tongue base: A rare presentation of head and neck plasmacytoma

Introduction. Special entities like solitary bone plasmocytoma (SBP) or extramedullary plasmacytoma (EMP) can be found in a less than 5% of patients with plasma cell disorders. EMP of the tongue represents very rare localization of the head and neck plasmacytoma. Case report. We report a case of 78-years-old woman who developed EMP of the tongue base detected by the magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the head and neck region. Immunohistochemical profile of the tumor tissue biopsy (CD38, IgG, kappa positivity) indicated diagnosis of EMP. The diagnosis was established with additional staging which confirmed the absence of other manifestation of the disease. The patient was treated with 40 Gy of radiotherapy in 20 doses resulting in the achievement of the complete remission of the disease. This case was discussed with the reference to the literature. Conclusion. EMP of the tongue base is a very rare entity of plasma cell dyscrasias. Appropriate irradiation results in the achievement of a long-term remission and a potential cure of the disease

Estrogen Receptor Beta: The Promising Biomarker and Potential Target in Metastases

The discovery of the Estrogen Receptor Beta (ERβ) in 1996 opened new perspectives in the diagnostics and therapy of different types of cancer. Here, we present a review of the present research knowledge about its role in endocrine-related cancers: breast, prostate, and thyroid, and colorectal cancers. We also discuss the reasons for the controversy of its role in carcinogenesis and why it is still not in use as a biomarker in clinical practice. Given that the diagnostics and therapy would benefit from the introduction of new biomarkers, we suggest ways to overcome the contradictions in elucidating the role of ERβ.Special Issue "Biomarkers in Hematological and Oncological Malignancies: Identification, Validation and Involvement in Molecular Pathways

Effects of tannic acid on trypsin and leucine aminopeptidase activities in gypsy moth larval midgut

The effects of allelochemical stress on genetic variations in the specific activities of gypsy moth digestive enzymes (trypsin and leucine aminopeptidase) and relative midgut mass (indirect measure of food consumption), as well as variability in their plasticity, were investigated in fifth instar gypsy moths originating from two populations with different trophic adaptations (oak and locust-tree forests). Thirty-two full-sib families from the Quercus population and twenty-six full-sib families from the Robinia population were reared on an artificial diet with or without supplementation with tannic acid. Between population differences were observed as higher average specific activity of trypsin and relative midgut mass in larvae from the Robinia population. Significant broad-sense heritabilities were observed for the specific activity of trypsin in the control state, and for specific activity of leucine aminopeptidase in a stressful environment. Significantly lower heritability for relative midgut mass was recorded in larvae from the Robinia population reared under stressful conditions. Significant variability of trypsin plasticity in larvae from both populations and significant variability of leucine aminopeptidase plasticity in larvae from the Robinia population point to the potential for the evolution of enzyme adaptive plastic responses to the presence of stressor. Non-significant across-environment genetic correlations do not represent a constraint for the evolution of enzyme plasticity.Projekat ministarstva br. 17302

Changes in Lymantria dispar protocerebral neurosecretory neurons after exposure to cadmium

Gypsy moth 4th instar caterpillars were fed for 3 days with an artificial diet supplemented with increasing cadmium (Cd) concentrations (0, 10, 30, 100 and 250 μg⁄g of dry food weight). Changes in the morphometric characteristics of A1' dorso-medial and L2 dorso-lateral neurosecretory neurons (nsn) were analyzed. In the A1' nsn, Cd supplements led to an enhanced nuclear size, except in the group treated with 250 μg Cd⁄g in the form of dry food. The size of L2 type nsn was increased in the groups provided with 30 and 100 μg Cd⁄g, while no differences in the size of nuclei was detected in L2 neurons among the experimental groups.Projekat ministarstva br. 7302

The response of dorsomedial A1' and dorsolateral L2' neurosecretory neurons of Lymantria dispar L. caterpillars to the acute effects of magnetic fields

The morphometric changes (size of neurons and their nuclei) of protocerebral dorsomedial A1' and dorsolateral L2' neurosecretory neurons were analyzed in Lymantria dispar larvae after exposure to strong static (SMF, 235 mT) and extremely low frequency magnetic fields (ELF MF, 2 mT). Increase in the size of A1' neurons and their nuclei were observed after acute exposure to SMF. Decrease in the size of these neurons and their nuclei was observed after exposure to ELF MF. The size of L2' neurons and their nuclei tend to decrease after exposure to SMF and ELF MF. The quantification of protein bands within the Mr range corresponding to the large form of the prothoracicotropic neurohormone indicates that the amount of protein decreased after exposure to both types of magnetic fields.Projekat ministarstva br. 17302

THE PATH TOWARDS ACHIEVING A LEAN SIX SIGMA COMPANY USING THE EXAMPLE OF THE SHINWON COMPANY IN SERBIA

In the last twenty years, many companies have realized that the demands of the global market, including more demanding and receptive customers, have set new standards for production flexibility. Gradual reduction of mass production, characteristic of a large number of companies, has opened space for the introduction of a new system which focuses exclusively on the customer. The customer-oriented system was created with the idea that process optimization would lead to the production of a relatively cheap product, delivered on time and with the best possible quality. Such a system is achieved by applying the Lean Six Sigma concept. The aim of this paper is to identify all of the defects that occur as losses and complicate the process of production in order to achieve the Lean Six Sigma level in the Shinwon Company. The original data from the Shinwon company were identified, collected and analyzed, using the methods and tools of the Lean Six Sigma concept (Process Mapping, 5S audit, Pareto diagram, Ishikawa diagram, Seven basic wastes and SPC analysis), in order to present the effectiveness of the quality management system and to evaluate the possibility of its continuous improvement