Consumer Responsibility for Food Safety

Nowadays, food safety and quality have a key role in maintaining the health of consumer, as the ultimate link in the food chain. Foodborne diseases can be a problem for every individual, but are particularly important to children, the elderly, and immunocompromised individuals. Although food hygiene experts widely accept many cases of foodborne disease occur as a result of improper food handling and preparation by consumers, the consumers themselves are still not aware of this fact. Correct personal hygiene measures are a well known step facilitating reductions in the risk of these diseases. However, actual implementation of personal hygiene and sanitation behaviors at home remains insufficient. The aim of many studies is to assess consumers’ knowledge of food security and to determine whether that knowledge is applied in practice. Such information can be of great help to professionals who deal with education of consumers about food safety, should help promote the principle among consumers that they themselves have a critical role in reducing the risk of foodborne disease

Some details on the method for measuring activity changes of neuronal populations

Simple, complex action potentials (AP) and interspike recorded background activity (RBA) were detected and extracted from 12 rat cerebellar cortical recordings. For each recording, an averaged simple action potential (SAP) was formed. Fourier amplitude spectra of SAP and RBA were similar in all recordings. For one of the recordings, a series of RBA simulations (SBA) was generated, superimposing random SAPs, varying the superposition frequency (fsup). Average Fourier amplitude, Amp(SBA), was calculated, in order to use Amp(SBA)=f(fsup) as a calibration line for reading fsup of RBA, which is a measure of the population activity. A probability distribution for SAP intensities was derived and a family of calibration lines constructed. As all lines were linear and parallel (slope S) in log-log plots, a population activity change could be calculated as fsup2/fsup1=[Amp2(RBA)/Amp(RBA)]1/S.Jednostavni, složeni akcioni potencijali (AR) i međuspajkovna osnovna aktivnost (MOA) detektovani su i izdvojeni iz 12 registrovanih signala kore malog mozga pacova. Za svaku registraciju, formiran je usrednjeni jednostavni AR (JAR). Spektri Furijeovih amplituda JAR i MOA signala bili su slični kod svih registracija. Za jednu od registracija, superponiranjem slučajnih usrednjenih jednostavnih akcionih potencijala formiran je niz simulacija međuspajkovne osnovne aktivnosti (SOA), pri čemu je varirana frekvencija superpozicije (fsup). Izračunavana je srednja Furijeova amplituda, Amp(SBA), u cilju korišćenja Amp(SBA)=f(fsup) kao kalibracione linije za očitavanje fsup od MOA, što je mera za aktivnost populacije. Izvedena je raspodela verovatnoća za intenzitete JAR, pomoću koje je konstruisana familija kalibracionih linija. Kako su sve linije linearne i paralelne u log-log dijagramu, sa nagibom S, promena aktivnosti populacije može se izračunati kao fsup2/fsup1 =[Amp2(RBA)/Amp(RBA)]1/S.nul

Hidrogeohemijska ispitivanja kvaliteta podzemnih i površinskih voda u neogenim - kvartarnim sedimentima

Geochemical investigations in order to identify the mineral deposits, as well as the sources of water supply of rural settlements included in the area of Bela Crkva, between the Nera and the Karaš rivers, draining the Neogene and Quaternary sediments. During the prospecting, water samples were collected from surface water streams, springs, wells, drills, water reservoirs, as well as the samples of stream sediments and rocks. Hydrogeochemical investigations are of significance, where, in the water of Vrsac hills, elevated levels of radionuclides U, Ra and Rn, and other toxic elements were detected with values above maximum allowed concentrations for drinking water. The wells of rural households had increased levels of Fe and Mn, as well as the increased mineralization, conductivity, and nitrogen cycle. The concentration of heavy metals in water wells was increased in the most settlements around Bela Crkva, as well as in Češko Selo, Banatska Subotica, Kuštilj, Jablanka and Karaš river. From the water accumulations formed in the Quaternary sediments southwest from Bela Crkva, samples of water, mud, overbank sediments, and A-horizon were collected. The water samles were determined on: Na, K, Ca, Mg, Fe, Mn, Al, NH4, NO3, SO4, HCO3, Cl, F, Ep, Eh, pH value, mineralization, Pb, Cd, Co, Ni, Cr, Cu, Zn, H2S, O2, CO2, U, Ra, Rn, As, Hg, Br. In the solid samples, Au, Ag, Pb, Zn, and other elements, as well as the content of 238U, 232Th and 40K were determined. Test results are presented in tables, diagrams, and hydrogeochemical maps.Geološko-geohemijska istraživanja u cilju identifikacije ležišta mineralnih sirovina, kao i izvorišta za vodosnabdevanje ruralnih naselja obuhvatila su područje Bele Crkve, između reka Nere i Karaša, koje dreniraju sedimente Neogena i Kvartara. U toku prospekcije, prikupljeni su uzorci voda iz površinskih tokova, izvora, bunara, bušotina, vodenih akumulacija, potočnih sedimenata i uzorci stena. Značajna su hidrogeohemijska ispitivanja, u kojima su u vodama otkriveni povišeni sadržaji radionuklida U, Ra i Rn u području Vršačkih brda, kao i drugih toksičnih elemenata, čije su vrednosti iznad maksimalno dozvoljenih u vodi za piće. U bunarima seoskih domaćinstava povećani su sadržaji Fe, Mn, a povećani su i mineralizacija, provodljivost i azotni ciklus. Koncentracija teških metala u bunarskim vodama je povećana u većini naselja oko Bele Crkve kao i u naseljima Češko selo, Banatska Subotica, Kuštilj, Jablanka kao i reka Karaš. Od vodenih akumulacija nastalih u kvartarnim sedimentima JZ od Bele Crkve; prikupljeni su uzorci voda muljevite komponente s dna jezera, overbank sedimenata i A-horizonta. U uzorcima voda određivani su : Na, K, Ca, Mg, Fe, Mn, Al, NH4, NO3, SO4, HCO3, Cl, F, Ep, Eh, pH, mineralizacija, Pb, Cd, Co, Ni, Cr, Cu, Zn, H2S, O2, CO2, U, Ra, Rn, As, Hg, Br, u čvrstim uzorcima Au, Ag, Pb, Zn, U i dr. elementi, kao i sadržaji U, Th i 40K. Rezultati ispitivanja prikazani su: tabelama dijagramima i hidrogeohemijskim kartama

Removal of manganese and iron from groundwater in the presence of hydrogen sulfide and ammonia

Presence of iron and manganese in water not only affects the organoleptic properties of water, but also can cause a number of problems in drinking water treatments. Their removal in drinking water preparation processes becomes more complicated in the presence of hydrogen sulfide and ammonia in water. There are certain commercialized products at the market that are used for removal of manganese, iron and ammonia, but it is of crucial importance to establish an appropriate order of removal in the technological process during drinking water treatment. Through the various combinations of commercialized filtration media, the removal of iron, manganese, hydrogen sulfide and ammonia, was being examined and on the basis of obtained results their effectiveness was estimated. Research results have shown that hydrogen sulfide is pollutant that causes problems during the adsorption in removing manganes. Ammonia, which is bonded to hydrogen sulphide influences the volume of treated water when it comes to removing the iron and manganese. Decrease in the concentration of hydrogen sulfide at the entrance to Filtersorb FMH for four times, has led to an increase in the volume of treated water in the amount of two times, followed by the breakthrough point of concentration of manganese. For complete usage capacity of commercialized products for the removal of these pollutants, finding their mutual bond in compounds which are present in the water, is of the importance

Dugoročne promene u trofičkom statusu i ekološkim parametrima akumulacije Grlište, Srbija

In the purpose of monitoring the change of trophic status and water quality in the reservoir Grlište, in the period of 20 years, once a month sampling of water was conducted at two places. The obtained results were used in the purpose of finding a cause of cyanobacteria bloom which appeared in the dry years in the time of critically low water level in the reservoir. On the basis of the obtained results of analyzed parameters, the trophic state indexes of Carlson (TSIChl-a, TSITP and TSISD) were calculated and difference between TSIChl-a and TSITP showed that phosphorus was not a limiting factor of algal production. Content of nitrogen in tributaries of the reservoir was in creased in the examined period, but research results indicated that limiting factor of algal production was light, not nitrogen and phosphorus. On the basis of the concentrations of dissolved oxygen, total phosphorus and chlorophyll a in the surface and in the bottom, it was concluded that the reservoir went through four development phases during the examined period. In the first years after the formation of the reservoir the highest trophicity was detected (hypereutrophic status), but later the reservoir maintained eutrophic status.U cilju praćenja promene trofičkog statusa i kvaliteta vode u akumulaciji Grlište, u periodu od 20 godina, jednom mesečno je vršeno uzorkovanje vode i to na dva mesta. Dobijeni rezultati su korišćeni u svrhu pronalaženja uzroka cijanobakterijskog cvetanja, koje se javljalo u sušnim godinama u vreme kritično niskog nivoa vode u akumulaciji. Sadržaj azota u pritokama akumulacije je bio u trendu porasta u ispitivanom periodu, ali rezultati istraživanja su ukazali da je limitirajući faktor algalne produkcije bila svetlost a ne azot i fosfor. Na osnovu dobijenih rezultata analiziranih parametara, izračunati su Carlson-ovi indeksi trofičnosti (TSIChl-a,TSITP i TSISD-a) a razlika TSIChl-a i TSITP je ukazala da fosfor nije bio ograničavajući faktor algalne produkcije. Na osnovu koncentracija rastvorenog kiseonika, ukupnog fosfora i hlorofila a na površini i na dnu, zapaženo je da je akumulacija tokom ispitivanog perioda prošla kroz četiri razvojne faze. Uočeno je da je u prvim godinama nakon formiranja akumulacije trofičnost bila najizraženija (hipereutrofan status), da bi u daljem periodu zadržala uglavnom eutrofan status

Dugoročne promene u trofičkom statusu i ekološkim parametrima akumulacije Grlište, Srbija

In the purpose of monitoring the change of trophic status and water quality in the reservoir Grlište, in the period of 20 years, once a month sampling of water was conducted at two places. The obtained results were used in the purpose of finding a cause of cyanobacteria bloom which appeared in the dry years in the time of critically low water level in the reservoir. On the basis of the obtained results of analyzed parameters, the trophic state indexes of Carlson (TSIChl-a, TSITP and TSISD) were calculated and difference between TSIChl-a and TSITP showed that phosphorus was not a limiting factor of algal production. Content of nitrogen in tributaries of the reservoir was in creased in the examined period, but research results indicated that limiting factor of algal production was light, not nitrogen and phosphorus. On the basis of the concentrations of dissolved oxygen, total phosphorus and chlorophyll a in the surface and in the bottom, it was concluded that the reservoir went through four development phases during the examined period. In the first years after the formation of the reservoir the highest trophicity was detected (hypereutrophic status), but later the reservoir maintained eutrophic status.U cilju praćenja promene trofičkog statusa i kvaliteta vode u akumulaciji Grlište, u periodu od 20 godina, jednom mesečno je vršeno uzorkovanje vode i to na dva mesta. Dobijeni rezultati su korišćeni u svrhu pronalaženja uzroka cijanobakterijskog cvetanja, koje se javljalo u sušnim godinama u vreme kritično niskog nivoa vode u akumulaciji. Sadržaj azota u pritokama akumulacije je bio u trendu porasta u ispitivanom periodu, ali rezultati istraživanja su ukazali da je limitirajući faktor algalne produkcije bila svetlost a ne azot i fosfor. Na osnovu dobijenih rezultata analiziranih parametara, izračunati su Carlson-ovi indeksi trofičnosti (TSIChl-a,TSITP i TSISD-a) a razlika TSIChl-a i TSITP je ukazala da fosfor nije bio ograničavajući faktor algalne produkcije. Na osnovu koncentracija rastvorenog kiseonika, ukupnog fosfora i hlorofila a na površini i na dnu, zapaženo je da je akumulacija tokom ispitivanog perioda prošla kroz četiri razvojne faze. Uočeno je da je u prvim godinama nakon formiranja akumulacije trofičnost bila najizraženija (hipereutrofan status), da bi u daljem periodu zadržala uglavnom eutrofan status

Supplementary material for the article: Milošev, M. Z.; Jakovljević, K.; Joksović, M. D.; Stanojković, T.; Matić, I. Z.; Perović, M.; Tešić, V.; Kanazir, S.; Mladenović, M.; Rodić, M. V.; et al. Mannich Bases of 1,2,4-Triazole3-Thione Containing Adamantane Moiety: Synthesis, Preliminary Anticancer Evaluation, and Molecular Modeling Studies. Chemical Biology and Drug Design 2017, 89 (6), 943–952. https://doi.org/10.1111/cbdd.12920

Supporting Information: [https://doi.org/10.1111/cbdd.12920]Related to published version: [http://cherry.chem.bg.ac.rs/handle/123456789/2482]Related to accepted version: [http://cherry.chem.bg.ac.rs/handle/123456789/3221

Supplementary material for the article: Milošev, M. Z.; Jakovljević, K.; Joksović, M. D.; Stanojković, T.; Matić, I. Z.; Perović, M.; Tešić, V.; Kanazir, S.; Mladenović, M.; Rodić, M. V.; et al. Mannich Bases of 1,2,4-Triazole3-Thione Containing Adamantane Moiety: Synthesis, Preliminary Anticancer Evaluation, and Molecular Modeling Studies. Chemical Biology and Drug Design 2017, 89 (6), 943–952. https://doi.org/10.1111/cbdd.12920

Supporting Information: [https://doi.org/10.1111/cbdd.12920]Related to published version: [http://cherry.chem.bg.ac.rs/handle/123456789/2482]Related to accepted version: [http://cherry.chem.bg.ac.rs/handle/123456789/3221

Assessment of the Trophic Status by Monitoring of Reservoir’s Water Quality

Continuous long-term monitoring of aquatic systems is important for understanding their complete evolution in order to monitor changes in the trophic status and water quality. The continuous monitoring during a period of 20 years, by sampling once a month at two locations, the water quality of reservoir “Grlište”, which is used for the water supplying town Zaječar (Eastern Serbia), is observed and developmental stages in the life of the reservoir were determinated. It should be noted that the obtained results were used also in the purpose of finding a cause of cyanobacteria bloom, as a consequence of algal production. Limiting factors of algal production usually were nitrogen and phosphorus, however, in this study, obtained results of subtraction between trophic state index, calculated through total chlorophyll a (TSIChl-a) and trophic state index, calculated through total phosphorus (TSITP), indicated that limiting factor of algal production was light. On the basis of the concentrations of dissolved oxygen (DO), total phosphorus (TP) and chlorophyll a (Chl-a) in the surface and in the bottom, it was concluded that the reservoir passed through four development phases during the examined period. Results of long-term monitoring showed that in the first years after the formation of the reservoir, the highest trophicity was detected (hypereutrophic status), but later the reservoir mostly maintained eutrophic status

Evaluation of the anti-cancer potential of Mahonia aquifolium extracts via apoptosis and anti-angiogenesis

The cytotoxicity of Mahonia aquifolium ethanol and water extracts was examined using MTT test. The morphological changes were analyzed by fluorescence microscopy. Cell cycle distribution and possible activation of caspase-dependent pathway of cell death were assessed by flow cytometry. The effects of ethanol and water extracts on migration of endothelial EA. hy926 cells were analyzed by in vitro scratch assay and inhibition of angiogenesis was detected using tube formation assay. Both extracts demonstrated cytotoxic effects on cancer cell lines with very high selectivity. Morphological evaluation indicated apoptosis. These results were confirmed with cell cycle analysis, where there was accumulation of cancer cells in the subG1 phase. Ethanol and water extracts induced a caspase-dependent apoptosis in HeLa cells through activation of caspase-3 and caspase-8. Both extracts showed the ability to inbibit the migration of EA. hy926 cells and initial steps of angiogenesis. In addition, ethanol extract exerted significant anti-angiogenic effect