The influence of anion on properties of ion-exchange Cu-alumina

Alumina can be obtained in several different phases depending on the synthesis parameters. All these phases have different morphology, crystal structure, water content, and surface chemistry that determines their application as catalysts or support for the (electro)catalyst. In this paper, the influence of anion on the electrochemical properties of copper-modified alumina was investigated. Two types of alumina with different water content, 3 mol H2O/ mol Al2O3 (designated as T) and 0.6 mol H2O/ mol Al2O3 (designated as G), were used in this study. Copper-modified alumina samples were prepared by ion exchange with a solution of CuSO4, CuCl2, or Cu(NO3)2. The obtained samples were characterized by DR UV/Vis spectroscopy and cyclic voltammetry. The DR UV/Vis results showed a broad band in the range of 300 – 600 nm corresponding to the ligand-to-metal charge transition band. The results showed that copper-modified G alumina showed a higher current originating from copper after the ion exchange procedure, regardless of the anion used. The order of activity was SO4 2- > Cl- NO3 - for G alumina and SO4 2- Cl- >NO3 - for T alumina

IMPACT OF DIFFERENCES IN ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AND SOCIOECONOMIC STABILITY ON BENZODIAZEPINE EXPOSURE BETWEEN THE THREE BALKANS COUNTRIES

Introduction: Anxiety disorders are among the most common mental disorders. Benzodiazepines belong to the group of anxiolytic sedatives and the most prescribed drugs in the world. The aim in ours study was to evaluate the differences in the exposure of the population to benzodiazepines (in period from 2014-2018) be tween Serbia, Slovenia and Croa tia, the three countries of th e Southwestern Balkans with varying degrees of socioeconomic development. Study design: A academic investigator initiated, pharmacoepidemiological difference-in -difference time se ries analysis of population exposure to benzodiazepines between the three, geogr aphically close Balkans countries (Slovenia, Serbia, Croatia) wi th varying degrees of socioeconomic developmen t has been carried out. Study was conducted as academic investigator initiated, in a retrospective manner on monthly basis international data set from January 2014 to December 2018. Results: At the annual level, during the study period from Januar y 2014 to December 2018, compared to Slovenia, Serbia and Croatia had higher DIDs, from 5 fold (Croatia) to 6 fold (Serbi a), for all benzodiazepines in total. By analyzing the differenc es-in- difference, we have shown that influence of both time (month) and c ountry on DIDs is significant as well as their mutual intera ction (the country × month) for all benzodiazepines in total. Conclusion: Serbia and Croatia must implement exp licit measures of reduci ng benzodiazepine prescription in health primary care based on evidence-based recommendations in the indicati ons where general medicine practitioners/family doctors most commonly prescribe these medicines. Without providing a realistic supplement/alternative to benzodiazepines such as increasing the availability of psychotherapy and impr oving the structure of psyc hiatric professionals in healthcare settings, implicit measures are not recommended for reducing pr escription, implementing accountability measures for prolonged prescription of benzodiazepines, and in particular for“ masked ”somatic diseases . All this comes to the fore by raising economic development and socioeconomic stabilit

IMPACT OF DIFFERENCES IN ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AND SOCIOECONOMIC STABILITY ON BENZODIAZEPINE EXPOSURE BETWEEN THE THREE BALKANS COUNTRIES

Introduction: Anxiety disorders are among the most common mental disorders. Benzodiazepines belong to the group of anxiolytic sedatives and the most prescribed drugs in the world. The aim in ours study was to evaluate the differences in the exposure of the population to benzodiazepines (in period from 2014-2018) be tween Serbia, Slovenia and Croa tia, the three countries of th e Southwestern Balkans with varying degrees of socioeconomic development. Study design: A academic investigator initiated, pharmacoepidemiological difference-in -difference time se ries analysis of population exposure to benzodiazepines between the three, geogr aphically close Balkans countries (Slovenia, Serbia, Croatia) wi th varying degrees of socioeconomic developmen t has been carried out. Study was conducted as academic investigator initiated, in a retrospective manner on monthly basis international data set from January 2014 to December 2018. Results: At the annual level, during the study period from Januar y 2014 to December 2018, compared to Slovenia, Serbia and Croatia had higher DIDs, from 5 fold (Croatia) to 6 fold (Serbi a), for all benzodiazepines in total. By analyzing the differenc es-in- difference, we have shown that influence of both time (month) and c ountry on DIDs is significant as well as their mutual intera ction (the country × month) for all benzodiazepines in total. Conclusion: Serbia and Croatia must implement exp licit measures of reduci ng benzodiazepine prescription in health primary care based on evidence-based recommendations in the indicati ons where general medicine practitioners/family doctors most commonly prescribe these medicines. Without providing a realistic supplement/alternative to benzodiazepines such as increasing the availability of psychotherapy and impr oving the structure of psyc hiatric professionals in healthcare settings, implicit measures are not recommended for reducing pr escription, implementing accountability measures for prolonged prescription of benzodiazepines, and in particular for“ masked ”somatic diseases . All this comes to the fore by raising economic development and socioeconomic stabilit

Corrigendum to "European contribution to the study of ROS:A summary of the findings and prospects for the future from the COST action BM1203 (EU-ROS)" [Redox Biol. 13 (2017) 94-162]

The European Cooperation in Science and Technology (COST) provides an ideal framework to establish multi-disciplinary research networks. COST Action BM1203 (EU-ROS) represents a consortium of researchers from different disciplines who are dedicated to providing new insights and tools for better understanding redox biology and medicine and, in the long run, to finding new therapeutic strategies to target dysregulated redox processes in various diseases. This report highlights the major achievements of EU-ROS as well as research updates and new perspectives arising from its members. The EU-ROS consortium comprised more than 140 active members who worked together for four years on the topics briefly described below. The formation of reactive oxygen and nitrogen species (RONS) is an established hallmark of our aerobic environment and metabolism but RONS also act as messengers via redox regulation of essential cellular processes. The fact that many diseases have been found to be associated with oxidative stress established the theory of oxidative stress as a trigger of diseases that can be corrected by antioxidant therapy. However, while experimental studies support this thesis, clinical studies still generate controversial results, due to complex pathophysiology of oxidative stress in humans. For future improvement of antioxidant therapy and better understanding of redox-associated disease progression detailed knowledge on the sources and targets of RONS formation and discrimination of their detrimental or beneficial roles is required. In order to advance this important area of biology and medicine, highly synergistic approaches combining a variety of diverse and contrasting disciplines are needed

Nickel-doped alumina

Alumina powders, pure and doped with nickel, were synthesized by sol gel method and calcined at 500oC in order to obtain mesoporous structures with a high specific surface area, well adaptable to catalytic application. XRD analysis showed that the addition of Ni2+affect the structural properties of the synthesized oxides. In order to test electrochemical activity of introduced nickel GCE modified with synthesized material was tested in 0.1 M NaOH solution without and with methanol.Physical chemistry 2016 : 13th international conference on fundamental and applied aspects of physical chemistry; Belgrade (Serbia); 26-30 September 201

EPR spin-trapping and spin-probing spectroscopy in assessing antioxidant properties: Example on extracts of catkin, leaves, and spiny burs of castanea sativa

Electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spin-trapping and spin-probing techniques were applied to determine antioxidant activity of extracts of catkin, leaves, and spiny burs of Castanea sativa against physiologically relevant reactive species-superoxide and hydroxyl radical generated in simple chemical systems and hydrogen peroxide applied on erythrocytes. Efflux of K + was used as a marker of membrane integrity. Chemical composition of extracts was analyzed using HPLC/DAD and LC/MS. Extracts showed high antioxidative capacity against superoxide but lower activity against hydroxyl radical. They protected fluidity and integrity of membranes of erythrocytes exposed to hydrogen peroxide. Levels of derivatives of ellagitannins showed positive correlation with the antioxidative activity of extracts. Therefore, ellagitannins from chestnut extracts could represent easily accessible natural antioxidants and beneficial component of human diet in pathophysiological conditions related to oxidative stress. In conclusion, EPR spectroscopy represents a valuable tool for evaluation of antioxidant activity in both hydrophilic and lipophilic media

Possibilities of utilization of co-products from corn grain ethanol and starch production

In recent decades, the expansion of alternative fuels production from crops traditionally used for food and animal feed has led to significant changes in the field of energy production, agriculture and food industry. Starch and sugar feedstocks for ethanol production (corn, wheat, sugar beet, sugar cane, etc.) require increasing arable land to meet market demands for the biofuel production. Although intensive studies are being carried out in order to identify improved and more cost-effective methods for the utilization of lignocellulosic and communal waste in the production of alcohol fuel, the possibility of using dry distillers’ grains with solubles (DDGS), by-product of bioethanol production from corn and wheat as well as alcoholic beverages industry, is now in focus. Application of DDGS in livestock and poultry diets in concentrations greater than traditional could positively affect the economic viability of this biofuel production, but also stabilize the current imbalance in the food and animal feed market. However, DDGS feedstuff should not be treated as a perfect substitute for corn because the complexity of ration formulation determined at the farm or feedlot level is driven by energy and protein and other nutrient requirements, as well as their relative costs in the ration. Nevertheless, processing of corn by wet milling provides a multitude of co-products suitable for feedstuffs, food industry, pharmaceuticals, chemistry etc. Some of the most important wet milling co-products that have their use in feedstuffs are corn gluten feed and corn gluten meal. The use of DDGS as a substitute for traditional feed could prevent indirect land-use changes associated with biofuel production, and therefore preserve the environmental destruction by saving the forests and permanent pastures. The use of distiller’s grains can be beneficial to biofuel growth as this is an additional, the second largest, source of income accounting of 10-20% total income. In this paper, the possibilities of by-products from corn grain bioethanol and alcoholic beverages production are represented. Emphasis is placed on the dry distillers' grains with solubles, which is the most abundant and for researchers currently the most attractive co-product of bioethanol industry. Co-products from wet milling starch and ethanol production have not yet been thoroughly investigated and therefore represent an interesting subject for further research