Phytochemical, Antioxidant and Antimicrobial Profiles of Extracts of Daphne alpina (Thymelaeaceae) L Leaf and Twig from Mt Kopaonik (Serbia)

Purpose: To investigate the phytochemical composition, as well as antioxidant and antimicrobial activities of the leaf and twig extracts of Daphne alpina L. (Thymelaeaceae).Methods: The dry chloroform and methanol extracts of the leaf and twigs of Daphne alpinа were used for analysis. Total phenolic and flavonoid contents were determined by established procedures. Antioxidant potential was investigated by several methods. The antimicrobial properties of the extracts were obtained by microdilution method. High performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) was employed for the identification of the most abundant metabolites, present in D. alpina extracts.Results: The total phenolics of the extracts ranged from 78.98 to 88.98 mg GA/g while total flavonoids were in the range 28.09 to 34.65 mg GA/g of fresh weight. HPLC analysis of the extracts showed the presence 4-hydroxybenzoic acid, 7,8-dihydroxycoumarine and 7-hydroxycoumarine. Total antioxidant capacity ranged from 69.71 μg AA/g for the methanol leaf extract to 73.55 μg AA/g for the chloroform twig extract. All the extracts showed DPPH radical scavenging activity (21.57 - 25.45 μg/mL), inhibitory activity against lipid peroxidation (26.79 - 35.24 μg/mL), ferrous ion chelating ability (21.57 - 45.45 μg/ml) and hydroxyl radical scavenging activity (87.98 - 98.86 μg/mL). Minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) was in the range 15.62 - 125 μg/mL.Conclusion: The extracts possess moderate antioxidant and antimicrobial activities due probably to the phenolic compounds in the extracts.Keywords: Daphne alpina, Coumarines, 4-Hydroxybenzoic Acid, Phenols, Flavonoids, Antimicrobial Activity, Antioxidant Activit

Uvoz nerastova - kontrola semena i mogućnost reklamacije

Serbia is one of the countries with the continuous import of breeding sows and boars. Boars are usually imported at the age of 4 to 6 months, in the period when the quality of the breeding males cannot be determined due to sexual immaturity (prepubertal and pubertal age). In this paper, the method and results of semen quality control in 40 imported young boars are described, and also the method of documenting the cause for action claim. In the case of suspicious semen quality it is necesseary to perform at least 3 consecutive controls in one month intervals in order to establish a final estimation of quality and usability of semen. Of 40 imported boars, 4 boars (10%) were subject of complaint due to: azoospermia (1 boar), absence or reduction of total and progressive motility, present sperm agglutination (2 boars), and increased number of pathological forms of spermatozoa (78%, 1 boar). Increased proportion of sperm with unstable chromatin structure (SCSA test - 33.2% and 37.1%) was established in two boars. To initiate the complaint it is necessary to have a sales contract that provides possibility for the reclamation, recognized methods of semen quality control and trustful business relationship between all interested parties.Srbija se svrstava u red zemalja sa kontinuiranim uvozom priplodnih nazimica i nerastova. Nerastovi se uglavnom uvoze u dobi od 4 do 6 meseci, u periodu kada se kvalitet priplodnjaka ne može pouzdano utvrditi usled polne nezrelosti (prepubertetsko ili pubertetska dob nerastića). U ovom radu opisan je postupak i rezultati kontrole kvaliteta semena kod 40 mladih nerastova iz uvoza, kao i način dokumentovanja razloga za pokretanje postupka reklamacije. Kod sumnjivog kvaliteta semena potrebno je izvršiti najmanje 3 uzastopne kontrole u razmaku od po mesec dana, kako bi se donela konačna ocena o kvalitetu semena i upotrebljivosti nerasta za priplod. Od 40 uvezenih nerastova, 4 su reklamirana (10%) usled: azoospermije (1 nerast), odsustva ili smanjenje ukupne ili progresivne pokretljivosti, uz prisustvo aglutinacija spermatozoida (2 nerasta), i povećanog broja patoloških formi spermatozoida (78%; 1 nerast). Kod dva nerasta zabeležen je povećan udeo spermatozoida sa nestabilnom strukturom hromatina (SCSA test - 33,2% i 37,1%). Za pokretanje reklamacije neophodno je imati kupoprodajni ugovor koji predviđa mogućnost reklamacije, priznate metode kontrole semena kao i izgrađen poslovni odnos poverenja zainteresovanih strana

Čvrste disperzije sa karbamazepinom: Optimizacija formulacija, karakterizacija i ispitivanje dugoročne stabilnosti

Solid dispersions are defined as dispersions of one or more active pharmaceutical ingredients in inert solid-state carriers. They are made with the aim to increase solubility and the dissolution rate of low solubility active pharmaceutical ingredients, with the subsequent increase in their bioavailability. The aim of this study was the development and optimization of solid dispersion formulations with carbamazepine, using D-optimal experimental design, in order to increase the dissolution rate of the selected model drug. By using the method of experimental mixture design, solid dispersions were formulated by varying the ratio of carbamazepine (30-50 %), Gelucire® 44/14 (20-40 %) and Soluplus® polymer (30-50 %) (input parameters). Sixteen formulations were made and used for in vitro testing of the carbamazepine dissolution rate. The observed output parameters were the percentages of carbamazepine released after 10, 20, 30, 45, and 60 minutes. After the data analysis, three test formulations were chosen from different parts of the optimization area. They were prepared and the carbamazepine dissolution rate was determined, followed by stability assessment for 24 months under ambient conditions (25 °C, 40 % RH). The highest dissolution rate of carbamazepine from solid dispersions (more than 80 % in 30 minutes) was achieved at the carbamazepine mass fraction of about 40 %, Soluplus® of about 45 % and Gelucire® 44/14 of about 25 %. Comparing the predicted and the experimental obtained release rate profiles of carbamazepine from the three prepared optimized formulations, a significant compliance of the results was observed (f1<15; f2 >50). The application of the PAMPA (Parallel Artificial-Membrane Permeability Assay) test has shown that carbamazepine premeability was maintained and mildly increased in two out of the three tested optimzed solid state formulations. Raman spectroscopy, FT-IR and DSC analyes showed that in the three optimized solid dispersions, after preparation and 24 months of storage, interactions between carbamazepine and the excipients were not present and that carbamazepine remained in the single pharmacologically active crystal polymorph form III. Proper selection of solid dispersion proportions of carbamazepine, Gelucire® 44/14 and Soluplus® may significantly increase the dissolution rate of the active substance, and the method of experimental mixture design can be successfully used for optimization of these formulations

Characterization of flow recirculation zones at the Perdigão site using multi-lidar measurements

Because flow recirculation can generate significant amounts of turbulence, it can impact the success of wind energy projects. This study uses unique Doppler lidar observations to quantify occurrences of flow recirculation on lee sides of ridges. An extensive dataset of observations of flow over complex terrain is available from the Perdigão 2017 field campaign over a period of 3 months. The campaign site was selected because of the unique terrain feature of two nearly parallel ridges with a valley-to-ridge-top height difference of about 200&thinsp;m and a ridge-to-ridge distance of 1.4&thinsp;km. Six scanning Doppler lidars probed the flow field in several vertical planes orthogonal to the ridges using range–height indicator scans. With this lidar setup, we achieved vertical scans of the recirculation zone at three positions along two parallel ridges. We construct a method to identify flow recirculation zones in the scans, as well as define characteristics of these zones. According to our data analysis, flow recirculation, with reverse flow wind speeds greater than 0.5&thinsp;m&thinsp;s−1, occurs over 50 % of the time when the wind direction is perpendicular to the direction of the ridges. Atmospheric conditions, such as atmospheric stability and wind speed, affect the occurrence of flow recirculation. Flow recirculation occurs more frequently during periods with wind speeds above 8&thinsp;m&thinsp;s−1. Recirculation within the valley affects the mean wind and turbulence fields at turbine heights on the downwind ridge in magnitudes significant for wind resource assessment.</p

Does the wind turbine wake follow the topography? A multi-lidar study in complex terrain

The wake of a single wind turbine in complex terrain is analysed using measurements from lidars. A particular focus of this analysis is the wake deficit and propagation. Six scanning lidars (three short-range and three long-range WindScanners) were deployed during the Perdigão 2015 measurement campaign, which took place at a double-ridge site in Portugal. Several scanning scenarios, including triple- and dual-Doppler scans, were designed to capture the wind turbine wake of a 2&thinsp;MW turbine located on one of the ridges. Different wake displacements are categorized according to the time of the day. The results show a strong dependence of the vertical wake propagation on the atmospheric stability. When an atmospheric wave is observed under stable conditions, the wake follows the terrain down the ridge with a maximum inclination of −28°. During unstable conditions, the wake is advected upwards by up to 29° above the horizontal plane.</p

Phytochemicalanalysis,cytotoxic,antioxidant,andantibacterial activities of lichens

© 2020 Noura Aoussar et al. This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited. Background. Lichens present a complex symbiotic relationship between a filamentous fungus, photoautotrophic partner (algae or cyanobacteria), and bacterial community. The Objective of the Study. This study aimed at investigating the chemical composition and cytotoxic, antioxidant, and antimicrobial activities of acetone extracts of Moroccan Evernia prunastri (E. prunastri), Ramalina farinacea (R. farinacea), and Pseudevernia furfuracea (P. furfuracea). Materials and Methods. The phytochemical analysis was carried out by HPLC-UV. The cytotoxic effect was assessed on human prostate cancer (22RV1), human colon carcinoma (HT-29), human hepatocellular carcinoma (Hep-G2), and Hamster ovarian cancer (CHO) cells lines by WST1 assay. The antioxidant power was assessed by DPPH and FRAP assays. The antibacterial effect was obtained using the broth microdilution method. Results. The findings of phytochemical analysis showed that the lichens studied possess interesting bioactive molecules such as physodalic acid, evernic acid, and usnic acid, as well as protocetraric acid. According to the American National Cancer Institute guidelines, the WST-1 test showed that all crude extracts did not show significant cytotoxic effects against all concerous cell lines, and IC50 values ranged from 42.30 to 140.24 µg/mL. Regarding the antioxidant activity, P. furfuracea extract showed the highest free-radical-scavenging ability (IC50 = 498.40 µg/mL). The most potent antibacterial extract was recorded for P. furfuracea extract with a minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) ranging from 0.039 to 0.31 mg/mL. Conclusion. In this research work, we report that the studied lichen extracts exhibit an important biological effect, supporting that lichens represent a hopeful source of original natural products for the research of new bioactive molecules having a pharmaceutical interest

Far infrared and photoacoustic characterization of iodine doped PbTe

Single crystal samples of PbTe doped with PbI2 were made using the Bridgman technique. Far infrared reflectivity diagrams of PbTe doped with 0.4 at% and 0.6 at% Iodine were measured and numerically analyzed. A plasma resonance at about 650 cm(-1) with the reflectivity minima very close to zero was observed for both samples. Thermal diffusivity was determined for the same samples using the photoacoustic method with a transmission detection configuration and the values of the minority free carrier (holes) mobility were calculated

The Impact of EU Norms and Policies on Consumer Protection Enforcement in Serbia

Pursuant to its 2008 Stabilization and Association Agreement governing the process of EU integration, Serbia is obliged to align its consumer protection standards (including those related to enforcement) with those of the EU. This article considers the overall approach to enforcement of consumer law in Serbia, focussing in particular on the extent to which EU enforcement principles have been successfully exported to Serbia and whether the goals of EU consumer policy have been achieved. It argues that the incorporation of EU norms has brought fundamental changes to Serbian enforcement mechanisms at a formal level, such as in relation to mediation processes as well as the introduction of injunctions for the protection of collective consumer interests. In practice, however, the impact of this incorporation is quite limited. A number of factors that restrict the practical effectiveness of the mediation processes and injunctions required by EU law are explored in the article, including weak sanctions, excessive reliance on poorly resourced consumer organizations, absence of a business culture of compliance or a sophisticated and determined consumer protection enforcement culture sufficiently grounded in expertise, as well as an overarching political, legislative, and institutional instability. These factors also undermine the general aim of EU policy to achieve effective consumer protection enforcement in the Serbian context

A water quality assessment based on benthic diatoms of the timok river basin (Eastern Serbia) under multiple anthropogenic pressures

The study is focused on diatom communities as indicators of the water quality of aquatic ecosystems. The study included watercourses of the Timok River Basin in eastern Serbia. Sampling of algological material and physicochemical measurements were conducted at 30 locations in September 2016. Non-metric multidimensional scaling (NMDS) showed that conductivity had an effect on the spatial variability of the diatom communities. At locations under influence of acid mine drainage along the Borska river, its tributaries and the Timok river, the diversity of benthic diatoms decreased and the abundance of metal tolerant taxa Achnanthidium minutissimum, Nitzschia capitellata and Nitzschia palea increased. Our study revealed that the combined effect of different pollutants significantly impacted on diatom assemblages; diatoms are good bioindicators of multiple pressures; and diatom indices with different types of pollution, may show an unreliable picture of the actual state, therefore, biological and physico-chemical parameters should also be observed when interpreting the results of a solely diatom-based assessment of the ecological condition of freshwaters

Paramagnetic nanoparticles in the regeneration of the reduced alveolar bone density

One of the trends in the treatment of reduced bone density is in oral implantology through the use of new biomaterials with paramagnetic properties. In this in vivo study the effect of Ca /Co-HAp nanoparticles (calcium/cobalt-hydroxiapatite) in the regeneration of the reduced alveolar bone density in experimental animals was examined by analyzing both the biochemical and histochemical markers and through analysis of alveolar bone density. The research was carried out on female Westar rats, aged 6-8 weeks, whom have been implanted nanobiomaterial in reduced alveolar bone density. Good results in regeneration of reduced bone density were achieved in six weeks after implantation of the nanoparticles with paramagnetic properties. Biochemical markers of osteogenesis showed statistically significant rise. Histological analysis revealed high level reparatory skills of the biocomposite implanted in the bone defect, while X-ray analyses evidenced rise of bone density. Implantation of Ca/Co-Hap enables rapid new formation, thus becoming the material of choice for accelerated reduced bone density regeneration