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Savić Gajić IM, Savić IM, Svirčev Z. Preparation and Characterization of Alginate Hydrogels with High Water-Retaining Capacity. Polymers (Basel) 2023; 15:2592. [PMID: 37376238 DOI: 10.3390/polym15122592] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2023] [Revised: 05/31/2023] [Accepted: 06/01/2023] [Indexed: 06/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Hydrogels are very attractive materials due to their multifunctional properties. Many natural polymers, such as polysaccharides, are used for the preparation of hydrogels. The most important and commonly used polysaccharide is alginate because of its biodegradability, biocompatibility, and non-toxicity. Since the properties of alginate hydrogel and its application depend on numerous factors, this study aimed to optimize the gel composition to enable the growth of inoculated cyanobacterial crusts for suppressing the desertification process. The influence of alginate concentration (0.1-2.9%, m/v) and CaCl2 concentration (0.4-4.6%, m/v) on the water-retaining capacity was analyzed using the response surface methodology. According to the design matrix, 13 formulations of different compositions were prepared. The water-retaining capacity was defined as the system response maximized in optimization studies. The optimal composition of hydrogel with a water-retaining capacity of about 76% was obtained using 2.7% (m/v) alginate solution and 0.9% (m/v) CaCl2 solution. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy was used for the structural characterization of the prepared hydrogels, while the water content and swelling ratio of hydrogels were determined using gravimetric methods. It was concluded that alginate and CaCl2 concentrations play the most important role regarding the gelation time, homogeneity, water content, and swelling ratio of the hydrogel.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ivana M Savić Gajić
- Faculty of Technology in Leskovac, University of Nis, Bulevar Oslobodjenja 124, 16000 Leskovac, Serbia
| | - Ivan M Savić
- Faculty of Technology in Leskovac, University of Nis, Bulevar Oslobodjenja 124, 16000 Leskovac, Serbia
| | - Zorica Svirčev
- Department of Biology and Ecology, Faculty of Sciences, University of Novi Sad, Trg Dositeja Obradovića 2, 21000 Novi Sad, Serbia
- Faculty of Science and Engineering, Biochemistry, Åbo Akademi University, Tykistökatu 6A, 20520 Turku, Finland
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Stojanović M, Lalatović J, Milosavljević A, Savić N, Simms C, Radosavljević B, Ćetković M, Kravić Stevović T, Mrda D, Čolović MB, Parac-Vogt TN, Krstić D. In vivo toxicity evaluation of a polyoxotungstate nanocluster as a promising contrast agent for computed tomography. Sci Rep 2023; 13:9140. [PMID: 37277558 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-36317-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/05/2023] [Accepted: 06/01/2023] [Indexed: 06/07/2023] Open
Abstract
In this study, we demonstrate for the first time, that a discrete metal-oxo cluster α-/β-K6P2W18O62 (WD-POM) exhibits superior performance as a computed tomography (CT) contrast agent, in comparison to the standard contrast agent iohexol. A toxicity evaluation of WD-POM was performed according to standard toxicological protocols using Wistar albino rats. The maximum tolerable dose (MTD) of 2000 mg/kg was initially determined after oral WD-POM application. The acute intravenous toxicity of single WD-POM doses (1/3, 1/5, and 1/10 MTD), which are at least fifty times higher than the typically used dose (0.015 mmol W kg-1) of tungsten-based contrast agents, was evaluated for 14 days. The results of arterial blood gas analysis, CO-oximetry status, electrolyte and lactate levels for 1/10 MTD group (80% survival rate) indicated the mixed respiratory and metabolic acidosis. The highest deposition of WD-POM (0.6 ppm tungsten) was found in the kidney, followed by liver (0.15 ppm tungsten), for which the histological analysis revealed morphological irregularities, although the renal function parameters (creatinine and BUN levels) were within the physiological range. This study is the first and important step in evaluating side effects of polyoxometalate nanoclusters, which in recent years have shown a large potential as therapeutics and contrast agents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marko Stojanović
- Department of Pharmacology, Clinical Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Belgrade, Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Jovana Lalatović
- Department of Radiology, University Hospital Medical Center Bežanijska Kosa, Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Aleksandra Milosavljević
- Institute of Histology and Embryology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Belgrade, Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Nada Savić
- Department of Chemistry, KU Leuven, Celestijnenlaan 200F, 3001, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Charlotte Simms
- Department of Chemistry, KU Leuven, Celestijnenlaan 200F, 3001, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Branimir Radosavljević
- Institute of Medical Chemistry, Faculty of Medicine, University of Belgrade, Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Mila Ćetković
- Institute of Histology and Embryology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Belgrade, Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Tamara Kravić Stevović
- Institute of Histology and Embryology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Belgrade, Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Davor Mrda
- Department of Radiology, University Hospital Medical Center Bežanijska Kosa, Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Mirjana B Čolović
- "Vinča" Institute of Nuclear Sciences-National Institute of the Republic of Serbia, University of Belgrade, Belgrade, Serbia.
| | - Tatjana N Parac-Vogt
- Department of Chemistry, KU Leuven, Celestijnenlaan 200F, 3001, Leuven, Belgium.
| | - Danijela Krstić
- Institute of Medical Chemistry, Faculty of Medicine, University of Belgrade, Belgrade, Serbia.
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Mančić L, Almeida LA, Machado TM, Gil-Londoño J, Dinić I, Tomić M, Marković S, Jardim P, Marinkovic BA. Tetracycline Removal through the Synergy of Catalysis and Photocatalysis by Novel NaYF 4:Yb,Tm@TiO 2-Acetylacetone Hybrid Core-Shell Structures. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24119441. [PMID: 37298390 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24119441] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2023] [Revised: 05/22/2023] [Accepted: 05/23/2023] [Indexed: 06/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Novel hybrid core-shell structures, in which up-converting (UC) NaYF4:Yb,Tm core converts near-infrared (NIR) to visible (Vis) light via multiphoton up-conversion processes, while anatase TiO2-acetylacetonate (TiO2-Acac) shell ensures absorption of the Vis light through direct injection of excited electrons from the highest-occupied-molecular-orbital (HOMO) of Acac into the TiO2 conduction band (CB), were successfully synthesized by a two-step wet chemical route. Synthesized NaYF4:Yb,Tm@TiO2-Acac powders were characterized by X-ray powder diffraction, thermogravimetric analysis, scanning and transmission electron microscopy, diffuse-reflectance spectroscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, and photoluminescence emission measurement. Tetracycline, as a model drug, was used to investigate the photocatalytic efficiencies of the core-shell structures under irradiation of reduced power Vis and NIR spectra. It was shown that the removal of tetracycline is accompanied by the formation of intermediates, which formed immediately after bringing the drug into contact with the novel hybrid core-shell structures. As a result, ~80% of tetracycline is removed from the solution after 6 h.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lidija Mančić
- Institute of Technical Sciences of SASA, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Lucas A Almeida
- Department of Chemical and Materials Engineering, Pontifical Catholic University of Rio de Janeiro (PUC-Rio), Rio de Janeiro 22453-900, Brazil
| | - Tamires M Machado
- Department of Chemical and Materials Engineering, Pontifical Catholic University of Rio de Janeiro (PUC-Rio), Rio de Janeiro 22453-900, Brazil
| | - Jessica Gil-Londoño
- Department of Chemical and Materials Engineering, Pontifical Catholic University of Rio de Janeiro (PUC-Rio), Rio de Janeiro 22453-900, Brazil
| | - Ivana Dinić
- Institute of Technical Sciences of SASA, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Miloš Tomić
- Institute of Technical Sciences of SASA, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Smilja Marković
- Institute of Technical Sciences of SASA, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Paula Jardim
- Department of Metallurgical and Materials Engineering, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro 21941-853, Brazil
| | - Bojan A Marinkovic
- Department of Chemical and Materials Engineering, Pontifical Catholic University of Rio de Janeiro (PUC-Rio), Rio de Janeiro 22453-900, Brazil
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Davidović P, Blagojević D, Meriluoto J, Simeunović J, Svirčev Z. Biotests in Cyanobacterial Toxicity Assessment-Efficient Enough or Not? Biology (Basel) 2023; 12:biology12050711. [PMID: 37237524 DOI: 10.3390/biology12050711] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/23/2023] [Revised: 04/27/2023] [Accepted: 05/09/2023] [Indexed: 05/28/2023]
Abstract
Cyanobacteria are a diverse group of organisms known for producing highly potent cyanotoxins that pose a threat to human, animal, and environmental health. These toxins have varying chemical structures and toxicity mechanisms and several toxin classes can be present simultaneously, making it difficult to assess their toxic effects using physico-chemical methods, even when the producing organism and its abundance are identified. To address these challenges, alternative organisms among aquatic vertebrates and invertebrates are being explored as more assays evolve and diverge from the initially established and routinely used mouse bioassay. However, detecting cyanotoxins in complex environmental samples and characterizing their toxic modes of action remain major challenges. This review provides a systematic overview of the use of some of these alternative models and their responses to harmful cyanobacterial metabolites. It also assesses the general usefulness, sensitivity, and efficiency of these models in investigating the mechanisms of cyanotoxicity expressed at different levels of biological organization. From the reported findings, it is clear that cyanotoxin testing requires a multi-level approach. While studying changes at the whole-organism level is essential, as the complexities of whole organisms are still beyond the reach of in vitro methodologies, understanding cyanotoxicity at the molecular and biochemical levels is necessary for meaningful toxicity evaluations. Further research is needed to refine and optimize bioassays for cyanotoxicity testing, which includes developing standardized protocols and identifying novel model organisms for improved understanding of the mechanisms with fewer ethical concerns. In vitro models and computational modeling can complement vertebrate bioassays and reduce animal use, leading to better risk assessment and characterization of cyanotoxins.
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Affiliation(s)
- Petar Davidović
- Department of Biology and Ecology, Faculty of Sciences, University of Novi Sad, Trg Dositeja Obradovića 2, 21000 Novi Sad, Serbia
| | - Dajana Blagojević
- Department of Biology and Ecology, Faculty of Sciences, University of Novi Sad, Trg Dositeja Obradovića 2, 21000 Novi Sad, Serbia
| | - Jussi Meriluoto
- Faculty of Science and Engineering, Biochemistry, Åbo Akademi, Tykistökatu 6 A, 20520 Turku, Finland
| | - Jelica Simeunović
- Department of Biology and Ecology, Faculty of Sciences, University of Novi Sad, Trg Dositeja Obradovića 2, 21000 Novi Sad, Serbia
| | - Zorica Svirčev
- Department of Biology and Ecology, Faculty of Sciences, University of Novi Sad, Trg Dositeja Obradovića 2, 21000 Novi Sad, Serbia
- Faculty of Science and Engineering, Biochemistry, Åbo Akademi, Tykistökatu 6 A, 20520 Turku, Finland
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Coskun GP, Ozhan Y, Dobričić V, Bošković J, Reis R, Sipahi H, Sahin Z, Demirayak S. Discovery of Novel Thiophene/Hydrazones: In Vitro and In Silico Studies against Pancreatic Cancer. Pharmaceutics 2023; 15:pharmaceutics15051441. [PMID: 37242684 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics15051441] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2023] [Revised: 04/27/2023] [Accepted: 04/29/2023] [Indexed: 05/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Cancer is the disease with the highest mortality. Drug studies contribute to promising treatments; however there is an urgent need for selective drug candidates. Pancreatic cancer is difficult to treat and the cancer progresses rapidly. Unfortunately, current treatments are ineffective. In this study, ten new diarylthiophene-2-carbohydrazide derivatives were synthesized and evaluated for their pharmacological activity. The 2D and 3D anticancer activity studies suggested the compounds 7a, 7d, and 7f were promising. Among these, 7f (4.86 µM) showed the best 2D inhibitory activity against PaCa-2 cells. Compounds 7a, 7d and 7f were also tested for their cytotoxic effects on healthy cell line but only compound 7d showed selectivity. Compounds 7a, 7d, and 7f showed the best 3D cell line inhibitory effect according to spheroid diameters. The compounds were screened for their COX-2 and 5-LOX inhibitory activity. For COX-2, the best IC50 value was observed for 7c (10.13 µM) and all compounds showed significantly lower inhibition compared to standard. In the 5-LOX inhibition study, compounds 7a (3.78 µM), 7c (2.60 µM), 7e (3.3 µM), and 7f (2.94 µM) demonstrated influential activity compared to standard. Regarding molecular docking studies, binding mode of compounds 7c, 7e, and 7f to the 5-LOX enzyme were non-redox or redox types, but not the iron-binding type. As dual inhibitors of 5-LOX and pancreatic cancer cell line, 7a and 7f were identified as the most promising compounds.
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Affiliation(s)
- Goknil Pelin Coskun
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Acibadem Mehmet Ali Aydinlar University, 34752 Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Yagmur Ozhan
- Department of Pharmaceutical Toxicology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Yeditepe University, 34755 Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Vladimir Dobričić
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Belgrade, 11221 Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Jelena Bošković
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Belgrade, 11221 Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Rengin Reis
- Department of Pharmaceutical Toxicology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Acibadem Mehmet Ali Aydinlar University, 34752 Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Hande Sipahi
- Department of Pharmaceutical Toxicology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Yeditepe University, 34755 Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Zafer Sahin
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Hamidiye Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Health Sciences, 34668 Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Seref Demirayak
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Kocaeli Health and Technology University, 41090 Kocaeli, Turkey
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Milovanovic P. Read science news critically and look for original studies: An example of misleading headlines related to COVID-19 vaccines in mainstream media. HEALTH INF MANAG J 2023; 52:132. [PMID: 34886690 PMCID: PMC10170247 DOI: 10.1177/18333583211060034] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 10/28/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
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Nedeljković N, Dobričić V, Bošković J, Vesović M, Bradić J, Anđić M, Kočović A, Jeremić N, Novaković J, Jakovljević V, Vujić Z, Nikolić M. Synthesis and Investigation of Anti-Inflammatory Activity of New Thiourea Derivatives of Naproxen. Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2023; 16:ph16050666. [PMID: 37242450 DOI: 10.3390/ph16050666] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/10/2023] [Revised: 04/26/2023] [Accepted: 04/26/2023] [Indexed: 05/28/2023] Open
Abstract
The aim of the study was a synthesis and investigation of the dose-dependent anti-inflammatory effect of new thiourea derivatives of naproxen with selected aromatic amines and esters of aromatic amino acids. The results of the in vivo study indicate that derivatives of m-anisidine (4) and N-methyl tryptophan methyl ester (7) showed the most potent anti-inflammatory activity four hours after injection of carrageenan, with the percentage of inhibition of 54.01% and 54.12%, respectively. In vitro assays of COX-2 inhibition demonstrated that none of the tested compounds achieved 50% inhibition at concentrations lower than 100 µM. On the other hand, the aromatic amine derivatives (1-5) accomplished significant inhibition of 5-LOX, and the lowest IC50 value was observed for compound 4 (0.30 μM). High anti-edematous activity of compound 4 in the rat paw edema model, together with potent inhibition of 5-LOX, highlight this compound as a promising anti-inflammatory agent.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nikola Nedeljković
- Department of Pharmacy, Faculty of Medical Sciences, University of Kragujevac, Svetozara Markovica 69, 34000 Kragujevac, Serbia
| | - Vladimir Dobričić
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, University of Belgrade-Faculty of Pharmacy, Vojvode Stepe 450, 11221 Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Jelena Bošković
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, University of Belgrade-Faculty of Pharmacy, Vojvode Stepe 450, 11221 Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Marina Vesović
- Department of Pharmacy, Faculty of Medical Sciences, University of Kragujevac, Svetozara Markovica 69, 34000 Kragujevac, Serbia
| | - Jovana Bradić
- Department of Pharmacy, Faculty of Medical Sciences, University of Kragujevac, Svetozara Markovica 69, 34000 Kragujevac, Serbia
- Center of Excellence for Redox Balance Research in Cardiovascular and Metabolic Disorders, Svetozara Markovica 69, 34000 Kragujevac, Serbia
| | - Marijana Anđić
- Department of Pharmacy, Faculty of Medical Sciences, University of Kragujevac, Svetozara Markovica 69, 34000 Kragujevac, Serbia
- Center of Excellence for Redox Balance Research in Cardiovascular and Metabolic Disorders, Svetozara Markovica 69, 34000 Kragujevac, Serbia
| | - Aleksandar Kočović
- Department of Pharmacy, Faculty of Medical Sciences, University of Kragujevac, Svetozara Markovica 69, 34000 Kragujevac, Serbia
- Center of Excellence for Redox Balance Research in Cardiovascular and Metabolic Disorders, Svetozara Markovica 69, 34000 Kragujevac, Serbia
| | - Nevena Jeremić
- Department of Pharmacy, Faculty of Medical Sciences, University of Kragujevac, Svetozara Markovica 69, 34000 Kragujevac, Serbia
- Center of Excellence for Redox Balance Research in Cardiovascular and Metabolic Disorders, Svetozara Markovica 69, 34000 Kragujevac, Serbia
- 1st Moscow State Medical, University IM Sechenov, Trubetskaya 8/2, 119991 Moscow, Russia
| | - Jovana Novaković
- Department of Pharmacy, Faculty of Medical Sciences, University of Kragujevac, Svetozara Markovica 69, 34000 Kragujevac, Serbia
- Center of Excellence for Redox Balance Research in Cardiovascular and Metabolic Disorders, Svetozara Markovica 69, 34000 Kragujevac, Serbia
| | - Vladimir Jakovljević
- Center of Excellence for Redox Balance Research in Cardiovascular and Metabolic Disorders, Svetozara Markovica 69, 34000 Kragujevac, Serbia
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medical Sciences, University of Kragujevac, Svetozara Markovica 69, 34000 Kragujevac, Serbia
- Department of Human Pathology, 1st Moscow State Medical, University IM Sechenov, Trubetskaya 8/2, 119991 Moscow, Russia
| | - Zorica Vujić
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, University of Belgrade-Faculty of Pharmacy, Vojvode Stepe 450, 11221 Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Miloš Nikolić
- Department of Pharmacy, Faculty of Medical Sciences, University of Kragujevac, Svetozara Markovica 69, 34000 Kragujevac, Serbia
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Paunovic V, Vucicevic L, Misirkic Marjanovic M, Perovic V, Ristic B, Bosnjak M, Mandic M, Stevanovic D, Harhaji-Trajkovic L, Lalosevic J, Nikolic M, Bonaci-Nikolic B, Trajkovic V. Autophagy Receptor p62 Regulates SARS-CoV-2-Induced Inflammation in COVID-19. Cells 2023; 12:cells12091282. [PMID: 37174682 PMCID: PMC10177105 DOI: 10.3390/cells12091282] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2023] [Revised: 04/10/2023] [Accepted: 04/21/2023] [Indexed: 05/15/2023] Open
Abstract
As autophagy can promote or inhibit inflammation, we examined autophagy-inflammation interplay in COVID-19. Autophagy markers in the blood of 19 control subjects and 26 COVID-19 patients at hospital admission and one week later were measured by ELISA, while cytokine levels were examined by flow cytometric bead immunoassay. The antiviral IFN-α and proinflammatory TNF, IL-6, IL-8, IL-17, IL-33, and IFN-γ were elevated in COVID-19 patients at both time points, while IL-10 and IL-1β were increased at admission and one week later, respectively. Autophagy markers LC3 and ATG5 were unaltered in COVID-19. In contrast, the concentration of autophagic cargo receptor p62 was significantly lower and positively correlated with TNF, IL-10, IL-17, and IL-33 at hospital admission, returning to normal levels after one week. The expression of SARS-CoV-2 proteins NSP5 or ORF3a in THP-1 monocytes caused an autophagy-independent decrease or autophagy-inhibition-dependent increase, respectively, of intracellular/secreted p62, as confirmed by immunoblot/ELISA. This was associated with an NSP5-mediated decrease in TNF/IL-10 mRNA and an ORF3a-mediated increase in TNF/IL-1β/IL-6/IL-10/IL-33 mRNA levels. A genetic knockdown of p62 mimicked the immunosuppressive effect of NSP5, and a p62 increase in autophagy-deficient cells mirrored the immunostimulatory action of ORF3a. In conclusion, the proinflammatory autophagy receptor p62 is reduced inacute COVID-19, and the balance between autophagy-independent decrease and autophagy blockade-dependent increase of p62 levels could affect SARS-CoV-induced inflammation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Verica Paunovic
- Institute of Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Belgrade, Dr. Subotica 1, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Ljubica Vucicevic
- Department of Neurophysiology, Institute for Biological Research "Sinisa Stankovic"-National Institute of Republic of Serbia, University of Belgrade, Bulevar despota Stefana 142, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Maja Misirkic Marjanovic
- Department of Neurophysiology, Institute for Biological Research "Sinisa Stankovic"-National Institute of Republic of Serbia, University of Belgrade, Bulevar despota Stefana 142, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Vladimir Perovic
- Institute of Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Belgrade, Dr. Subotica 1, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Biljana Ristic
- Institute of Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Belgrade, Dr. Subotica 1, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Mihajlo Bosnjak
- Institute of Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Belgrade, Dr. Subotica 1, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Milos Mandic
- Institute of Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Belgrade, Dr. Subotica 1, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Danijela Stevanovic
- Institute of Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Belgrade, Dr. Subotica 1, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Ljubica Harhaji-Trajkovic
- Department of Neurophysiology, Institute for Biological Research "Sinisa Stankovic"-National Institute of Republic of Serbia, University of Belgrade, Bulevar despota Stefana 142, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Jovan Lalosevic
- Clinic of Dermatovenereology, University Clinical Center of Serbia, Pasterova 2, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Belgrade, Dr. Subotica 8, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Milos Nikolic
- Clinic of Dermatovenereology, University Clinical Center of Serbia, Pasterova 2, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Belgrade, Dr. Subotica 8, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Branka Bonaci-Nikolic
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Belgrade, Dr. Subotica 8, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia
- Clinic of Allergy and Immunology, University Clinical Center of Serbia, Koste Todorovica 2, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Vladimir Trajkovic
- Institute of Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Belgrade, Dr. Subotica 1, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia
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Jovanović S, Marković Z, Budimir M, Prekodravac J, Zmejkoski D, Kepić D, Bonasera A, Marković BT. Lights and Dots toward Therapy-Carbon-Based Quantum Dots as New Agents for Photodynamic Therapy. Pharmaceutics 2023; 15:pharmaceutics15041170. [PMID: 37111655 PMCID: PMC10145889 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics15041170] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/06/2023] [Revised: 04/01/2023] [Accepted: 04/04/2023] [Indexed: 04/29/2023] Open
Abstract
The large number of deaths induced by carcinoma and infections indicates that the need for new, better, targeted therapy is higher than ever. Apart from classical treatments and medication, photodynamic therapy (PDT) is one of the possible approaches to cure these clinical conditions. This strategy offers several advantages, such as lower toxicity, selective treatment, faster recovery time, avoidance of systemic toxic effects, and others. Unfortunately, there is a small number of agents that are approved for usage in clinical PDT. Novel, efficient, biocompatible PDT agents are, thus, highly desired. One of the most promising candidates is represented by the broad family of carbon-based quantum dots, such as graphene quantum dots (GQDs), carbon quantum dots (CQDs), carbon nanodots (CNDs), and carbonized polymer dots (CPDs). In this review paper, these new smart nanomaterials are discussed as potential PDT agents, detailing their toxicity in the dark, and when they are exposed to light, as well as their effects on carcinoma and bacterial cells. The photoinduced effects of carbon-based quantum dots on bacteria and viruses are particularly interesting, since dots usually generate several highly toxic reactive oxygen species under blue light. These species are acting as bombs on pathogen cells, causing various devastating and toxic effects on those targets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Svetlana Jovanović
- Vinča Institute of Nuclear Sciences-National Institute of the Republic of Serbia, University of Belgrade, P.O. Box 522, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Zoran Marković
- Vinča Institute of Nuclear Sciences-National Institute of the Republic of Serbia, University of Belgrade, P.O. Box 522, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Milica Budimir
- Vinča Institute of Nuclear Sciences-National Institute of the Republic of Serbia, University of Belgrade, P.O. Box 522, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Jovana Prekodravac
- Vinča Institute of Nuclear Sciences-National Institute of the Republic of Serbia, University of Belgrade, P.O. Box 522, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Danica Zmejkoski
- Vinča Institute of Nuclear Sciences-National Institute of the Republic of Serbia, University of Belgrade, P.O. Box 522, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Dejan Kepić
- Vinča Institute of Nuclear Sciences-National Institute of the Republic of Serbia, University of Belgrade, P.O. Box 522, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Aurelio Bonasera
- Palermo Research Unit, Department of Physics and Chemistry-Emilio Segrè, University of Palermo and Consorzio Interuniversitario Nazionale per la Scienza e Tecnologia dei Materiali (INSTM), 90128 Palermo, Italy
| | - Biljana Todorović Marković
- Vinča Institute of Nuclear Sciences-National Institute of the Republic of Serbia, University of Belgrade, P.O. Box 522, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia
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Bošković J, Dobričić V, Mihajlović M, Kotur-Stevuljević J, Čudina O. Synthesis, Evaluation of Enzyme Inhibition and Redox Properties of Potential Dual COX-2 and 5-LOX Inhibitors. Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2023; 16:ph16040549. [PMID: 37111306 PMCID: PMC10142505 DOI: 10.3390/ph16040549] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2023] [Revised: 03/28/2023] [Accepted: 03/31/2023] [Indexed: 04/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Various dual inhibitors of COX-2 and 5-LOX enzymes have been developed so far in order to obtain more effective and safer anti-inflammatory drugs. The aim of this study was to design and synthesize new dual COX-2 and 5-LOX inhibitors, and to evaluate their enzyme inhibition potential and redox properties. Thirteen compounds (1-13) were designed taking into account structural requirements for dual COX-2 and 5-LOX inhibition and antioxidant activity, synthesized, and structurally characterized. These compounds can be classified as N-hydroxyurea derivatives (1, 2 and 3), 3,5-di-tert-butylphenol derivatives (4, 5, 6, 7 and 13), urea derivatives (8, 9 and 10) and "type B hydroxamic acids" (11 and 12). COX-1, COX-2 and 5-LOX inhibitory activities were evaluated using fluorometric inhibitor screening kits. The evaluation of the redox activity of newly synthesized compounds was performed in vitro in the human serum pool using redox status tests. The prooxidative score, the antioxidative score and the oxy-score were calculated. Seven out of thirteen synthesized compounds (1, 2, 3, 5, 6, 11 and 12) proved to be dual COX-2 and 5-LOX inhibitors. These compounds expressed good COX-2/COX-1 selectivity. Moreover, dual inhibitors 1, 3, 5, 11 and 12 showed good antioxidant properties.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jelena Bošković
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, University of Belgrade-Faculty of Pharmacy, 11221 Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Vladimir Dobričić
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, University of Belgrade-Faculty of Pharmacy, 11221 Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Marija Mihajlović
- Department of Medical Biochemistry, University of Belgrade-Faculty of Pharmacy, 11221 Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Jelena Kotur-Stevuljević
- Department of Medical Biochemistry, University of Belgrade-Faculty of Pharmacy, 11221 Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Olivera Čudina
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, University of Belgrade-Faculty of Pharmacy, 11221 Belgrade, Serbia
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61
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Tomanić D, Samardžija M, Kovačević Z. Alternatives to Antimicrobial Treatment in Bovine Mastitis Therapy: A Review. Antibiotics (Basel) 2023; 12:683. [PMID: 37107045 PMCID: PMC10135164 DOI: 10.3390/antibiotics12040683] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/10/2023] [Revised: 03/25/2023] [Accepted: 03/28/2023] [Indexed: 04/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Despite preventive and therapeutic measures, mastitis continues to be the most prevalent health problem in dairy herds. Considering the risks associated with antibiotic therapy, such as compromised effectiveness due to the emergence of resistant bacteria, food safety issues, and environmental impact, an increasing number of scientific studies have referred to the new therapeutic procedures that could serve as alternatives to conventional therapy. Therefore, the aim of this review was to provide insight into the currently available literature data in the investigation of non-antibiotic alternative approaches. In general, a vast number of in vitro and in vivo available data offer the comprehension of novel, effective, and safe agents with the potential to reduce the current use of antibiotics and increase animal productivity and environmental protection. Constant progress in this field could overcome treatment difficulties associated with bovine mastitis and considerable global pressure being applied on reducing antimicrobial therapy in animals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dragana Tomanić
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Novi Sad, Trg Dositeja Obradovica 8, 21000 Novi Sad, Serbia
| | - Marko Samardžija
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Zagreb, Heinzelova 55, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Zorana Kovačević
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Novi Sad, Trg Dositeja Obradovica 8, 21000 Novi Sad, Serbia
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62
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Pantic I, Cumic J, Dugalic S, Petroianu GA, Corridon PR. Gray level co-occurrence matrix and wavelet analyses reveal discrete changes in proximal tubule cell nuclei after mild acute kidney injury. Sci Rep 2023; 13:4025. [PMID: 36899130 PMCID: PMC10006226 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-31205-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2022] [Accepted: 03/08/2023] [Indexed: 03/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Acute kidney injury (AKI) relates to an abrupt reduction in renal function resulting from numerous conditions. Morbidity, mortality, and treatment costs related to AKI are relatively high. This condition is strongly associated with damage to proximal tubule cells (PTCs), generating distinct patterns of transcriptional and epigenetic alterations that result in structural changes in the nuclei of this epithelium. To this date, AKI-related nuclear chromatin redistribution in PTCs is poorly understood, and it is unclear whether changes in PTC chromatin patterns can be detected using conventional microscopy during mild AKI, which can progress to more debilitating forms of injury. In recent years, gray level co-occurrence matrix (GLCM) analysis and discrete wavelet transform (DWT) have emerged as potentially valuable methods for identifying discrete structural changes in nuclear chromatin architecture that are not visible during the conventional histopathological exam. Here we present findings indicating that GLCM and DWT methods can be successfully used in nephrology to detect subtle nuclear morphological alterations associated with mild tissue injury demonstrated in rodents by inducing a mild form of AKI through ischemia-reperfusion injury. Our results show that mild ischemic AKI is associated with the reduction of local textural homogeneity of PTC nuclei quantified by GLCM and the increase of nuclear structural heterogeneity indirectly assessed with DWT energy coefficients. This rodent model allowed us to show that mild ischemic AKI is associated with the significant reduction of textural homogeneity of PTC nuclei, indirectly assessed by GLCM indicators and DWT energy coefficients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Igor Pantic
- Faculty of Medicine, Department of Medical Physiology, Laboratory for Cellular Physiology, University of Belgrade, Visegradska 26/II, 11129, Belgrade, Serbia
- University of Haifa, 199 Abba Hushi Blvd, Mount Carmel, 3498838, Haifa, Israel
- Department of Pharmacology, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Khalifa University of Science and Technology, PO Box 127788, Abu Dhabi, UAE
| | - Jelena Cumic
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Belgrade, University Clinical Center of Serbia, Dr. Koste Todorovica 8, 11129, Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Stefan Dugalic
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Belgrade, University Clinical Center of Serbia, Dr. Koste Todorovica 8, 11129, Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Georg A Petroianu
- Department of Pharmacology, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Khalifa University of Science and Technology, PO Box 127788, Abu Dhabi, UAE
| | - Peter R Corridon
- Department of Immunology and Physiology, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Khalifa University of Science and Technology, PO Box 127788, Abu Dhabi, UAE.
- Healthcare Engineering Innovation Center, Biomedical Engineering, Khalifa University of Science and Technology, PO Box 127788, Abu Dhabi, UAE.
- Center for Biotechnology, Khalifa University of Science and Technology, PO Box 127788, Abu Dhabi, UAE.
- Indiana Center for Biological Microscopy, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, USA.
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63
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Andrejević TP, Aleksic I, Kljun J, Počkaj M, Zlatar M, Vojnovic S, Nikodinovic-Runic J, Turel I, Djuran MI, Glišić BĐ. Copper(ii) and silver(i) complexes with dimethyl 6-(pyrazine-2-yl)pyridine-3,4-dicarboxylate (py-2pz): the influence of the metal ion on the antimicrobial potential of the complex. RSC Adv 2023; 13:4376-4393. [PMID: 36744286 PMCID: PMC9890663 DOI: 10.1039/d2ra07401j] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/21/2022] [Accepted: 01/19/2023] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Dimethyl 6-(pyrazine-2-yl)pyridine-3,4-dicarboxylate (py-2pz) was used as a ligand for the synthesis of new copper(ii) and silver(i) complexes, [CuCl2(py-2pz)]2 (1), [Cu(CF3SO3)(H2O)(py-2pz)2]CF3SO3·2H2O (2), [Ag(py-2pz)2]PF6 (3) and {[Ag(NO3)(py-2pz)]·0.5H2O} n (4). The complexes were characterized by spectroscopic and electrochemical methods, while their structures were determined by single crystal X-ray diffraction analysis. The X-ray analysis revealed the bidentate coordination mode of py-2pz to the corresponding metal ion via its pyridine and pyrazine nitrogen atoms in all complexes, while in polynuclear complex 4, the heterocyclic pyrazine ring of one py-2pz additionally behaves as a bridging ligand between two Ag(i) ions. DFT calculations were performed to elucidate the structures of the investigated complexes in solution. The antimicrobial potential of the complexes 1-4 was evaluated against two bacterial (Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Staphylococcus aureus) and two Candida (C. albicans and C. parapsilosis) species. Silver(i) complexes 3 and 4 have shown good antibacterial and antifungal properties with minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) values ranging from 4.9 to 39.0 μM (3.9-31.2 μg mL-1). All complexes inhibited the filamentation of C. albicans and hyphae formation, while silver(i) complexes 3 and 4 had also the ability to inhibit the biofilm formation process of this fungus. The binding affinity of the complexes 1-4 with calf thymus DNA (ct-DNA) and bovine serum albumin (BSA) was studied by fluorescence emission spectroscopy to clarify the mode of their antimicrobial activity. Catechol oxidase biomimetic catalytic activity of copper(ii) complexes 1 and 2 was additionally investigated by using 3,5-di-tert-butylcatechol (3,5-DTBC) and o-aminophenol (OAP) as substrates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tina P Andrejević
- Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, University of Kragujevac R. Domanovića 12 34000 Kragujevac Serbia
| | - Ivana Aleksic
- Institute of Molecular Genetics and Genetic Engineering, University of Belgrade Vojvode Stepe 444a 11042 Belgrade Serbia
| | - Jakob Kljun
- Faculty of Chemistry and Chemical Technology, University of Ljubljana Večna Pot 113 Ljubljana SI-1000 Slovenia
| | - Marta Počkaj
- Faculty of Chemistry and Chemical Technology, University of Ljubljana Večna Pot 113 Ljubljana SI-1000 Slovenia
| | - Matija Zlatar
- Department of Chemistry, University of Belgrade-Institute of Chemistry, Technology and Metallurgy Njegoševa 12 11000 Belgrade Serbia
| | - Sandra Vojnovic
- Institute of Molecular Genetics and Genetic Engineering, University of Belgrade Vojvode Stepe 444a 11042 Belgrade Serbia
| | - Jasmina Nikodinovic-Runic
- Institute of Molecular Genetics and Genetic Engineering, University of Belgrade Vojvode Stepe 444a 11042 Belgrade Serbia
| | - Iztok Turel
- Faculty of Chemistry and Chemical Technology, University of Ljubljana Večna Pot 113 Ljubljana SI-1000 Slovenia
| | - Miloš I Djuran
- Serbian Academy of Sciences and Arts Knez Mihailova 35 11000 Belgrade Serbia
| | - Biljana Đ Glišić
- Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, University of Kragujevac R. Domanovića 12 34000 Kragujevac Serbia
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64
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Marković ZM, Budimir MD, Danko M, Milivojević DD, Kubat P, Zmejkoski DZ, Pavlović VB, Mojsin MM, Stevanović MJ, Todorović Marković BM. Structural, optical, and bioimaging characterization of carbon quantum dots solvothermally synthesized from o-phenylenediamine. Beilstein J Nanotechnol 2023; 14:165-174. [PMID: 36761674 PMCID: PMC9907016 DOI: 10.3762/bjnano.14.17] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/23/2022] [Accepted: 01/16/2023] [Indexed: 06/01/2023]
Abstract
Carbon quantum dots as a novel type of carbon nanomaterials have attracted the attention of many researchers because of their unique optical, antibacterial, and anticancer properties as well as their biocompatibility. In this study, for the first time, carbon quantum dots were prepared from o-phenylenediamine dissolved in toluene by a solvothermal route. Subsequently, the prepared carbon quantum dots were encapsulated into polyurethane films by a swelling-encapsulation-shrink method. Analyses of the results obtained by different characterization methods (AFM, TEM, EDS, FTIR, photoluminescence, and EPR) indicate the significant influence of the precursor on structural, chemical, and optical properties. Antibacterial and cytotoxicity tests showed that these dots did not have any antibacterial potential, because of the low extent of reactive oxygen species production, and showed low dark cytotoxicity. By investigating the cellular uptake, it was established that these dots penetrated the HeLa cells and could be used as probes for bioimaging.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zoran M Marković
- Institute of Nuclear Sciences „Vinča“-National Institute of the Republic of Serbia, P.O.B. 522, 11001 Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Milica D Budimir
- Institute of Nuclear Sciences „Vinča“-National Institute of the Republic of Serbia, P.O.B. 522, 11001 Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Martin Danko
- Polymer Institute, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Dubravska cesta 9, 84 541 Bratislava, Slovakia
| | - Dušan D Milivojević
- Institute of Nuclear Sciences „Vinča“-National Institute of the Republic of Serbia, P.O.B. 522, 11001 Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Pavel Kubat
- J. Heyrovsky Institute of Physical Chemistry, Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic, Dolejškova 3, 182 23, Praha 8, Czech Republic
| | - Danica Z Zmejkoski
- Institute of Nuclear Sciences „Vinča“-National Institute of the Republic of Serbia, P.O.B. 522, 11001 Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Vladimir B Pavlović
- Faculty of Agriculture, University of Belgrade, Nemanjina 6, 11080 Belgrade-Zemun, Serbia
| | - Marija M Mojsin
- Institute of Molecular Genetics and Genetic Engineering, University of Belgrade, Vojvode Stepe 444a, 11042 Belgrade 152, Serbia
| | - Milena J Stevanović
- Institute of Molecular Genetics and Genetic Engineering, University of Belgrade, Vojvode Stepe 444a, 11042 Belgrade 152, Serbia
- University of Belgrade, Faculty of Biology, Studentski trg 16, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia
- Serbian Academy of Sciences and Arts, Knez Mihailova 35, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Biljana M Todorović Marković
- Institute of Nuclear Sciences „Vinča“-National Institute of the Republic of Serbia, P.O.B. 522, 11001 Belgrade, Serbia
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65
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Savić AM, Novičić M, Ðorđević O, Konstantinović L, Miler-Jerković V. Novel electrotactile brain-computer interface with somatosensory event-related potential based control. Front Hum Neurosci 2023; 17:1096814. [PMID: 37033908 PMCID: PMC10078957 DOI: 10.3389/fnhum.2023.1096814] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/12/2022] [Accepted: 02/28/2023] [Indexed: 04/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Objective A brain computer interface (BCI) allows users to control external devices using non-invasive brain recordings, such as electroencephalography (EEG). We developed and tested a novel electrotactile BCI prototype based on somatosensory event-related potentials (sERP) as control signals, paired with a tactile attention task as a control paradigm. Approach A novel electrotactile BCI comprises commercial EEG device, an electrical stimulator and custom software for EEG recordings, electrical stimulation control, synchronization between devices, signal processing, feature extraction, selection, and classification. We tested a novel BCI control paradigm based on tactile attention on a sensation at a target stimulation location on the forearm. Tactile stimuli were electrical pulses delivered at two proximal locations on the user's forearm for stimulating branches of radial and median nerves, with equal probability of the target and distractor stimuli occurrence, unlike in any other ERP-based BCI design. We proposed a compact electrical stimulation electrodes configuration for delivering electrotactile stimuli (target and distractor) using 2 stimulation channels and 3 stimulation electrodes. We tested the feasibility of a single EEG channel BCI control, to determine pseudo-online BCI performance, in ten healthy subjects. For optimizing the BCI performance we compared the results for two classifiers, sERP averaging approaches, and novel dedicated feature extraction/selection methods via cross-validation procedures. Main results We achieved a single EEG channel BCI classification accuracy in the range of 75.1 to 88.1% for all subjects. We have established an optimal combination of: single trial averaging to obtain sERP, feature extraction/selection methods and classification approach. Significance The obtained results demonstrate that a novel electrotactile BCI paradigm with equal probability of attended (target) and unattended (distractor) stimuli and proximal stimulation sites is feasible. This method may be used to drive restorative BCIs for sensory retraining in stroke or brain injury, or assistive BCIs for communication in severely disabled users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrej M. Savić
- School of Electrical Engineering, University of Belgrade, Belgrade, Serbia
- *Correspondence: Andrej M. Savić,
| | - Marija Novičić
- School of Electrical Engineering, University of Belgrade, Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Olivera Ðorđević
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Belgrade, Belgrade, Serbia
- Clinic for Rehabilitation “Dr. Miroslav Zotović”, Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Ljubica Konstantinović
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Belgrade, Belgrade, Serbia
- Clinic for Rehabilitation “Dr. Miroslav Zotović”, Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Vera Miler-Jerković
- Innovation Center of the School of Electrical Engineering, University of Belgrade, Belgrade, Serbia
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66
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Cirkovic V, Dellicour S, Stamenkovic G, Siljic M, Gligic A, Stanojevic M. Phylogeographic analysis of Tula hantavirus highlights a single introduction to central Europe. Virus Evol 2022; 8:veac112. [PMID: 37954511 PMCID: PMC10634634 DOI: 10.1093/ve/veac112] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/22/2021] [Revised: 11/07/2022] [Accepted: 12/21/2022] [Indexed: 11/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Orthohantaviruses are zoonotic pathogens of humans, unique among the bunyaviruses in not being transmitted by an arthropod vector. Tula orthohantavirus (TULV) is an old-world hantavirus, of yet unclear human pathogenicity, with few reported cases of clinically relevant human infection. So far, phylogeographic studies exploring the global pathways of hantaviral migration are scarce and generally do not focus on a specific hantavirus species. The aim of the present study was to reconstruct the dispersal history of TULV lineages across Eurasia based on S segment sequences sampled from different geographic areas. Maximum-likelihood and Bayesian inference methods were used to perform the phylogenetic analysis and phylogeographic reconstructions. Sampling time and trapping localities were obtained for a total of 735 TULV S segment sequences available in public databases at the time of the study. The estimated substitution rate of the analyzed partial S segment alignment was 2.26 × 10-3 substitutions/site/year (95 per cent highest posterior density interval: 1.79 × 10-3 to 2.75 × 10-3). Continuous phylogeography of TULV S segment sequences placed the potential root and origin of TULV spread in the Black Sea region. In our study, we detect a single-lineage introduction of TULV to Europe, followed by local viral circulation further on.
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Affiliation(s)
- Valentina Cirkovic
- Faculty of Medicine, University of
Belgrade, Dr Subotica 8, Belgrade 11000, Serbia
| | - Simon Dellicour
- Spatial Epidemiology Lab (SpELL), Université
Libre de Bruxelles, CP160/13, 50, av. FD Roosevelt, Bruxelles 1050,
Belgium
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and
Transplantation, Rega Institute, KU Leuven, Herestraat 49, Leuven 3000,
Belgium
| | - Gorana Stamenkovic
- University of Belgrade, Institute for Biological Research ‘Siniša
Stanković’, Bulevar despota Stefana 142, Belgrade 11108, Serbia
| | - Marina Siljic
- Faculty of Medicine, University of
Belgrade, Dr Subotica 8, Belgrade 11000, Serbia
| | - Ana Gligic
- Institute of Virology, Vaccines and Sera Torlak, Vojvode
Stepe 458, Belgrade 11000, Serbia
| | - Maja Stanojevic
- Faculty of Medicine, University of
Belgrade, Dr Subotica 8, Belgrade 11000, Serbia
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67
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Dapčević-Hadnađev T, Tomić J, Škrobot D, Šarić B, Hadnađev M. Processing strategies to improve the breadmaking potential of whole-grain wheat and non-wheat flours. Discov Food 2022. [PMCID: PMC8890466 DOI: 10.1007/s44187-022-00012-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Strategies to increase the bio-functionality of staple food, such as bread, by incorporating whole-grain wheat flour or flour from other, non-wheat grains instead of refined wheat flour are often constrained with the lack of their techno-functionality, despite the associated beneficial effect on consumers' health and well-being. Most of the available studies investigating the possibilities to improve technological and sensory quality of bread prepared using whole-grain wheat and non-wheat flours still rely on formulation approaches in which different additives and novel ingredients are used as structuring agents. Less attention has been given to technological approaches which could be applied to induce structural changes on biopolymer level and thus increase the breadmaking potential of whole grains such as: modification of grain and biopolymers structure by germination, flour particle size reduction, dry-heat or hydrothermal treatment, atmospheric cold plasma, high-pressure processing or ultrasound treatment. Strategies to modify processing variables during breadmaking like dough kneading and hydration modification, sourdough fermentation or non-conventional baking techniques application are also poorly exploited for bread preparation from non-wheat grains. In this paper, the challenges and opportunities of abovementioned processing strategies for the development of bread with whole-wheat flours and non-wheat flours from underutilised gluten-containing or gluten-free cereals and pseudocereals will be reviewed throughout the whole breadmaking chain: from grain to bread and from milling to baking. Feasibility of different strategies to increase the technological performance and sensory quality of bread based on whole-grain wheat flours or flours from other, non-wheat grains will be addressed considering both the environmental, safety and nutritive advantages.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tamara Dapčević-Hadnađev
- University of Novi Sad, Institute of Food Technology, Bulevar cara Lazara 1, 21000 Novi Sad, Serbia
| | - Jelena Tomić
- University of Novi Sad, Institute of Food Technology, Bulevar cara Lazara 1, 21000 Novi Sad, Serbia
| | - Dubravka Škrobot
- University of Novi Sad, Institute of Food Technology, Bulevar cara Lazara 1, 21000 Novi Sad, Serbia
| | - Bojana Šarić
- University of Novi Sad, Institute of Food Technology, Bulevar cara Lazara 1, 21000 Novi Sad, Serbia
| | - Miroslav Hadnađev
- University of Novi Sad, Institute of Food Technology, Bulevar cara Lazara 1, 21000 Novi Sad, Serbia
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Dmitrović S, Pajčin I, Vlajkov V, Grahovac M, Jokić A, Grahovac J. Dairy and Wine Industry Effluents as Alternative Media for the Production of Bacillus-Based Biocontrol Agents. Bioengineering (Basel) 2022; 9:663. [PMID: 36354577 PMCID: PMC9687624 DOI: 10.3390/bioengineering9110663] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/07/2022] [Revised: 10/25/2022] [Accepted: 11/03/2022] [Indexed: 01/07/2024] Open
Abstract
Food industry effluents represent one of the major concerns when it comes to environmental impact; hence, their valorization through different chemical and biological routes has been suggested as a possible solution. The vast amount of organic and inorganic nutrients present in food industry effluents makes them suitable substrates for microbial growth. This study suggests two valorization routes for whey as dairy industry effluent and flotation wastewater from the wine industry through microbial conversion to biocontrol agents as value-added products. Cultivations of the biocontrol strain Bacillus sp. BioSol021 were performed in a 16 L bioreactor to monitor the bioprocess course and investigate bioprocess kinetics in terms of microbial growth, sugar substrate consumption and surfactin synthesis, as an antimicrobial lipopeptide. The produced biocontrol agents showed high levels of biocontrol activity against mycotoxigenic strains of Aspergillus flavus, followed by a significant reduction of sugar load of the investigated effluents by the producing microorganisms. With proven high potential of whey and winery flotation wastewater to be used as substrates for microbial growth, this study provides grounds for further optimization of the suggested valorization routes, mostly in terms of bioprocess conditions to achieve maximal techno-economical feasibility, energy saving and maximal reduction of effluents' organic and inorganic burden.
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Affiliation(s)
- Selena Dmitrović
- Faculty of Technology Novi Sad, University of Novi Sad, Bulevar Cara Lazara 1, 21000 Novi Sad, Serbia
| | - Ivana Pajčin
- Faculty of Technology Novi Sad, University of Novi Sad, Bulevar Cara Lazara 1, 21000 Novi Sad, Serbia
| | - Vanja Vlajkov
- Faculty of Technology Novi Sad, University of Novi Sad, Bulevar Cara Lazara 1, 21000 Novi Sad, Serbia
| | - Mila Grahovac
- Faculty of Agriculture, University of Novi Sad, Trg Dositeja Obradovića 8, 21000 Novi Sad, Serbia
| | - Aleksandar Jokić
- Faculty of Technology Novi Sad, University of Novi Sad, Bulevar Cara Lazara 1, 21000 Novi Sad, Serbia
| | - Jovana Grahovac
- Faculty of Technology Novi Sad, University of Novi Sad, Bulevar Cara Lazara 1, 21000 Novi Sad, Serbia
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Cirovic A, Jadzic J, Djukic D, Djonic D, Zivkovic V, Nikolic S, Djuric M, Milovanovic P. Increased Cortical Porosity, Reduced Cortical Thickness, and Reduced Trabecular and Cortical Microhardness of the Superolateral Femoral Neck Confer the Increased Hip Fracture Risk in Individuals with Type 2 Diabetes. Calcif Tissue Int 2022; 111:457-465. [PMID: 35871240 PMCID: PMC9308472 DOI: 10.1007/s00223-022-01007-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/24/2022] [Accepted: 07/06/2022] [Indexed: 11/12/2022]
Abstract
Individuals with diabetes mellitus type 2 (T2DM) have approximately 30% increased risk of hip fracture; however, the main cause of the elevated fracture risk in those subjects remains unclear. Moreover, micromechanical and microarchitectural properties of the superolateral femoral neck-the common fracture-initiating site-are still unknown. We collected proximal femora of 16 men (eight with T2DM and eight controls; age: 61 ± 10 years) at autopsy. After performing post-mortem bone densitometry (DXA), the superolateral neck was excised and scanned with microcomputed tomography (microCT). We also conducted Vickers microindentation testing. T2DM and control subjects did not differ in age (p = 0.605), body mass index (p = 0.114), and femoral neck bone mineral density (BMD) (p = 0.841). Cortical porosity (Ct.Po) was higher and cortical thickness (Ct.Th) was lower in T2DM (p = 0.044, p = 0.007, respectively). Of trabecular microarchitectural parameters, only structure model index (p = 0.022) was significantly different between T2DM subjects and controls. Control group showed higher cortical (p = 0.002) and trabecular bone microhardness (p = 0.005). Increased Ct.Po and decreased Ct.Th in T2DM subjects increase the propensity to femoral neck fracture. Apart from the deteriorated cortical microarchitecture, decreased cortical and trabecular microhardness suggests altered bone composition of the superolateral femoral neck cortex and trabeculae in T2DM. Significantly deteriorated cortical microarchitecture of the superolateral femoral neck is not recognized by standard DXA measurement of the femoral neck.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aleksandar Cirovic
- Faculty of Medicine, Institute of Anatomy, Center of Bone Biology, Laboratory of Bone Biology and Bioanthropology, University of Belgrade, Dr Subotica 4/2, Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Jelena Jadzic
- Faculty of Medicine, Institute of Anatomy, Center of Bone Biology, Laboratory of Bone Biology and Bioanthropology, University of Belgrade, Dr Subotica 4/2, Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Danica Djukic
- Faculty of Medicine, Institute of Forensic Medicine, University of Belgrade, Deligradska 31a, Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Danijela Djonic
- Faculty of Medicine, Institute of Anatomy, Center of Bone Biology, Laboratory of Bone Biology and Bioanthropology, University of Belgrade, Dr Subotica 4/2, Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Vladimir Zivkovic
- Faculty of Medicine, Institute of Forensic Medicine, University of Belgrade, Deligradska 31a, Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Slobodan Nikolic
- Faculty of Medicine, Institute of Forensic Medicine, University of Belgrade, Deligradska 31a, Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Marija Djuric
- Faculty of Medicine, Institute of Anatomy, Center of Bone Biology, Laboratory of Bone Biology and Bioanthropology, University of Belgrade, Dr Subotica 4/2, Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Petar Milovanovic
- Faculty of Medicine, Institute of Anatomy, Center of Bone Biology, Laboratory of Bone Biology and Bioanthropology, University of Belgrade, Dr Subotica 4/2, Belgrade, Serbia.
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70
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Milinčić DD, Stanisavljević NS, Kostić AŽ, Gašić UM, Stanojević SP, Tešić ŽL, Pešić MB. Bioaccessibility of Phenolic Compounds and Antioxidant Properties of Goat-Milk Powder Fortified with Grape-Pomace-Seed Extract after In Vitro Gastrointestinal Digestion. Antioxidants (Basel) 2022; 11:2164. [PMID: 36358535 PMCID: PMC9686738 DOI: 10.3390/antiox11112164] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/09/2022] [Revised: 10/27/2022] [Accepted: 10/29/2022] [Indexed: 08/27/2023] Open
Abstract
This study deals with the evaluation of the bioaccessibility and antioxidant properties of phenolic compounds from heat-treated skim goat-milk powder fortified with grape-pomace-seed extract, after in vitro gastrointestinal digestion. Ultra-high performance liquid chromatography coupled to diode array detection and mass spectrometry (UHPLC-DAD MS/MS) analysis confirmed the abundant presence of phenolic acids and flavan-3-ols in the grape-pomace-seed extract (SE) and heat-treated skim goat-milk/seed-extract powder (TME). After in vitro digestion of TME powder and recovery of total quantified phenolics, flavan-3-ols and phenolic acids were 18.11%, 24.54%, and 1.17%, respectively. Low recovery of grape-pomace-seed phenolics indicated strong milk protein-phenolic interactions. Electrophoretic analysis of a soluble fraction of digested heat-treated skim goat milk (TM) and TME samples showed the absence of bands originating from milk proteins, indicating their hydrolysis during in vitro gastrointestinal digestion. The digested TME sample had better antioxidant properties in comparison to the digested TM sample (except for the ferrous ion-chelating capacity, FCC), due to the presence of bioaccessible phenolics. Taking into account the contribution of the digestive cocktail, digested TME sample had lower values of total phenolic content (TPC), in vitro phosphomolybdenum reducing capacity (TAC) and ferric reducing power (FRP), compared to the undigested TME sample. These results could be attributed to low recovery of phenolic compounds. TME powder could be a good carrier of phenolics to the colon; thus, TME powder could be a promising ingredient in the formulation of functional food.
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Affiliation(s)
- Danijel D. Milinčić
- Institute of Food Technology and Biochemistry, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Belgrade, Nemanjina 6, 11080 Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Nemanja S. Stanisavljević
- Institute of Molecular Genetics and Genetic Engineering, University of Belgrade, P.O. Box 23, 11010 Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Aleksandar Ž. Kostić
- Institute of Food Technology and Biochemistry, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Belgrade, Nemanjina 6, 11080 Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Uroš M. Gašić
- Department of Plant Physiology, Institute for Biological Research “Siniša Stanković”—National Institute of Republic of Serbia, University of Belgrade, Bulevar Despota Stefana 142, 11060 Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Slađana P. Stanojević
- Institute of Food Technology and Biochemistry, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Belgrade, Nemanjina 6, 11080 Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Živoslav Lj. Tešić
- Faculty of Chemistry, University of Belgrade, Studentski Trg 12–16, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Mirjana B. Pešić
- Institute of Food Technology and Biochemistry, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Belgrade, Nemanjina 6, 11080 Belgrade, Serbia
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71
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Švarc-Gajić J, Rodrigues F, Moreira MM, Delerue-Matos C, Morais S, Dorosh O, Silva AM, Bassani A, Dzedik V, Spigno G. Chemical composition and bioactivity of oilseed cake extracts obtained by subcritical and modified subcritical water. BIORESOUR BIOPROCESS 2022; 9:114. [PMID: 38647757 PMCID: PMC10991149 DOI: 10.1186/s40643-022-00603-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/11/2022] [Accepted: 10/18/2022] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Recovery of bioactive compounds from biowaste is gaining more and more interest in circular economy models. The oilseed cakes are usually insufficiently exploited by most technologies since they represent valuable matrices abundant in proteins, minerals, and phytochemicals, but their use is mostly limited to feed ingredients, fertilizers or biofuel production. This study was thus focused on the exploration of new valorization pathways of oilseed cakes by subcritical water, representing a safe and economic alternative in the creation of value chains. Pumpkin, hemp, and flax seed cakes were treated with subcritical water in nitrogen and carbon-dioxide atmospheres, as well as in nitrogen atmosphere with the addition of acid catalyst. The degradation of carbohydrate fraction was studied by quantifying sugars and sugar degradation products in the obtained extracts. The extracts obtained under different conditions were further compared chemically with respect to total phenols and flavonoids, as well as to the content of individual phenolic compounds. Furthermore, the effects of subcritical water treatment conditions on antioxidant, antiradical and cytotoxic properties of thus obtained extracts were defined and discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jaroslava Švarc-Gajić
- Faculty of Technology, University of Novi Sad, Bulevar Cara Lazara 1, 21000, Novi Sad, Serbia.
| | - Francisca Rodrigues
- REQUIMTE-LAQV, Instituto Superior de Engenharia Do Porto, Rua Dr. António Bernardino de Almeida, 431, 4249-015, Porto, Portugal
| | - Manuela M Moreira
- REQUIMTE-LAQV, Instituto Superior de Engenharia Do Porto, Rua Dr. António Bernardino de Almeida, 431, 4249-015, Porto, Portugal
| | - Cristina Delerue-Matos
- REQUIMTE-LAQV, Instituto Superior de Engenharia Do Porto, Rua Dr. António Bernardino de Almeida, 431, 4249-015, Porto, Portugal
| | - Simone Morais
- REQUIMTE-LAQV, Instituto Superior de Engenharia Do Porto, Rua Dr. António Bernardino de Almeida, 431, 4249-015, Porto, Portugal
| | - Olena Dorosh
- REQUIMTE-LAQV, Instituto Superior de Engenharia Do Porto, Rua Dr. António Bernardino de Almeida, 431, 4249-015, Porto, Portugal
| | - Ana Margarida Silva
- REQUIMTE-LAQV, Instituto Superior de Engenharia Do Porto, Rua Dr. António Bernardino de Almeida, 431, 4249-015, Porto, Portugal
| | - Andrea Bassani
- DiSTAS, Department for Sustainable Food Process, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Via Emilia Parmense, 84, 29122, Piacenza, Italy
| | - Valentin Dzedik
- Volgograd State University, 100 Prospect Universitetsky, Volgograd, 400062, Russia
| | - Giorgia Spigno
- DiSTAS, Department for Sustainable Food Process, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Via Emilia Parmense, 84, 29122, Piacenza, Italy
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72
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Svirčev Z, Chen L, Sántha K, Drobac Backović D, Šušak S, Vulin A, Palanački Malešević T, Codd GA, Meriluoto J. A review and assessment of cyanobacterial toxins as cardiovascular health hazards. Arch Toxicol 2022; 96:2829-2863. [PMID: 35997789 PMCID: PMC9395816 DOI: 10.1007/s00204-022-03354-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/26/2022] [Accepted: 08/02/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Eutrophicated waters frequently support bloom-forming cyanobacteria, many of which produce potent cyanobacterial toxins (cyanotoxins). Cyanotoxins can cause adverse health effects in a wide range of organisms where the toxins may target the liver, other internal organs, mucous surfaces and the skin and nervous system. This review surveyed more than 100 studies concerning the cardiovascular toxicity of cyanotoxins and related topics. Over 60 studies have described various negative effects on the cardiovascular system by seven major types of cyanotoxins, i.e. the microcystin (MC), nodularin (NOD), cylindrospermopsin (CYN), anatoxin (ATX), guanitoxin (GNTX), saxitoxin (STX) and lyngbyatoxin (LTX) groups. Much of the research was done on rodents and fish using high, acutely toxin concentrations and unnatural exposure routes (such as intraperitoneal injection), and it is thus concluded that the emphasis in future studies should be on oral, chronic exposure of mammalian species at environmentally relevant concentrations. It is also suggested that future in vivo studies are conducted in parallel with studies on cells and tissues. In the light of the presented evidence, it is likely that cyanotoxins do not constitute a major risk to cardiovascular health under ordinary conditions met in everyday life. The risk of illnesses in other organs, in particular the liver, is higher under the same exposure conditions. However, adverse cardiovascular effects can be expected due to indirect effects arising from damage in other organs. In addition to risks related to extraordinary concentrations of the cyanotoxins and atypical exposure routes, chronic exposure together with co-existing diseases could make some of the cyanotoxins more dangerous to cardiovascular health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zorica Svirčev
- University of Novi Sad, Faculty of Sciences, Department of Biology and Ecology, UNS, Trg Dositeja Obradovića 2, 21000, Novi Sad, Serbia.
- Biochemistry, Faculty of Science and Engineering, Åbo Akademi University, Tykistökatu 6A, 20520, Turku, Finland.
| | - Liang Chen
- Institute for Ecological Research and Pollution Control of Plateau Lakes, School of Ecology and Environmental Science, Yunnan University, Kunming, 650500, China
- Donghu Experimental Station of Lake Ecosystems, State Key Laboratory of Freshwater Ecology and Biotechnology, Institute of Hydrobiology (IHB), Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), Wuhan, 430072, China
- State Key Laboratory of Eco-Hydraulics in Northwest Arid Region, Faculty of Water Resources and Hydroelectric Engineering, Xi'an University of Technology, Xi'an, 710048, China
| | - Kinga Sántha
- University of Novi Sad, Faculty of Sciences, Department of Biology and Ecology, UNS, Trg Dositeja Obradovića 2, 21000, Novi Sad, Serbia
| | - Damjana Drobac Backović
- University of Novi Sad, Faculty of Sciences, Department of Biology and Ecology, UNS, Trg Dositeja Obradovića 2, 21000, Novi Sad, Serbia
| | - Stamenko Šušak
- University of Novi Sad, Faculty of Medicine, UNS, Hajduk Veljkova 3, 21000, Novi Sad, Serbia
- Institute of Cardiovascular Diseases of Vojvodina, Sremska Kamenica, Serbia
| | - Aleksandra Vulin
- University of Novi Sad, Faculty of Medicine, UNS, Hajduk Veljkova 3, 21000, Novi Sad, Serbia
- Institute of Cardiovascular Diseases of Vojvodina, Sremska Kamenica, Serbia
| | - Tamara Palanački Malešević
- University of Novi Sad, Faculty of Sciences, Department of Biology and Ecology, UNS, Trg Dositeja Obradovića 2, 21000, Novi Sad, Serbia
| | - Geoffrey A Codd
- School of Natural Sciences, University of Stirling, Stirling, FK9 4LA, UK
- School of Life Sciences, University of Dundee, Dundee, DD1 5EH, UK
| | - Jussi Meriluoto
- University of Novi Sad, Faculty of Sciences, Department of Biology and Ecology, UNS, Trg Dositeja Obradovića 2, 21000, Novi Sad, Serbia
- Biochemistry, Faculty of Science and Engineering, Åbo Akademi University, Tykistökatu 6A, 20520, Turku, Finland
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73
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Vićentić T, Andrić S, Rajić V, Spasenović M. Reliable fabrication of transparent conducting films by cascade centrifugation and Langmuir-Blodgett deposition of electrochemically exfoliated graphene. Beilstein J Nanotechnol 2022; 13:666-674. [PMID: 35957672 PMCID: PMC9344539 DOI: 10.3762/bjnano.13.58] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2022] [Accepted: 07/08/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Electrochemical exfoliation is an efficient and scalable method to obtain liquid-phase graphene. Graphene in solution, obtained through electrochemical exfoliation or other methods, is typically polydisperse, containing particles of various sizes, which is not optimal for applications. We employed cascade centrifugation to select specific particle sizes in solution and prepared thin films from those graphene particles using the Langmuir-Blodgett assembly. Employing centrifugation speeds of 3, 4, and 5 krpm, further diluting the solutions in different volumes of solvent, we reliably and consistently obtained films of tunable thickness. We show that there is a limit to how thin these films can be, which is imposed by the percolation threshold. The percolation threshold is quantitatively compared to results found in literature that are obtained using other, more complex graphene film fabrication methods, and is found to occur with a percolation exponent and percolative figure of merit that are of the same order as results in literature. A maximum optical transparency of 82.4% at a wavelength of 660 nm is obtained for these films, which is in agreement with earlier works on Langmuir-Blodgett assembled ultrasonic-assisted liquid-phase exfoliated graphene. Our work demonstrates that films that are in all respects on par with films of graphene obtained through other solution-based processes can be produced from inexpensive and widely available centrifugal post-processing of existing commercially available solutions of electrochemically exfoliated graphene. The demonstrated methodology will lower the entry barriers for new research and industrial uses, since it allows researchers with no exfoliation experience to make use of widely available graphene materials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Teodora Vićentić
- Center for Microelectronic Technologies, Institute of Chemistry, Technology and Metallurgy, National Institute of the Republic of Serbia, University of Belgrade, Njegoševa 12, Belgrade 11000, Serbia
| | - Stevan Andrić
- Center for Microelectronic Technologies, Institute of Chemistry, Technology and Metallurgy, National Institute of the Republic of Serbia, University of Belgrade, Njegoševa 12, Belgrade 11000, Serbia
| | - Vladimir Rajić
- INS Vinča, Department of Atomic Physics, University of Belgrade, Mike Petrovića Alasa 12–14, 11351 Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Marko Spasenović
- Center for Microelectronic Technologies, Institute of Chemistry, Technology and Metallurgy, National Institute of the Republic of Serbia, University of Belgrade, Njegoševa 12, Belgrade 11000, Serbia
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74
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Pogrmic-Majkic K, Samardzija Nenadov D, Tesic B, Fa Nedeljkovic S, Kokai D, Stanic B, Andric N. Mapping DEHP to the adverse outcome pathway network for human female reproductive toxicity. Arch Toxicol 2022; 96:2799-2813. [PMID: 35790550 PMCID: PMC9352620 DOI: 10.1007/s00204-022-03333-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/23/2022] [Accepted: 06/15/2022] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
Adverse outcome pathways (AOPs) and AOP networks are tools for mechanistic presentation of toxicological effects across different levels of biological organization. These tools are used to better understand how chemicals impact human health. In this study, a four-step workflow was used to derive the AOP network of human female reproductive toxicity (HFRT-AOP) from five AOPs available in the AOP-Wiki and ten AOPs obtained from the literature. Standard network analysis identified key events (KEs) that are point of convergence and divergence, upstream and downstream KEs, and bottlenecks across the network. To map di-(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP) to the HFRT-AOP network, we extracted DEHP target genes and proteins from the Comparative Toxicogenomic and the CompTox Chemicals Dashboard databases. Enriched GO terms analysis was used to identify relevant biological processes in the ovary that are DEHP targets, whereas screening of scientific literature was performed manually and automatically using AOP-helpFinder. We combined this information to map DEHP to HFRT-AOP network to provide insight on the KEs and system-level perturbations caused by this endocrine disruptor and the emergent paths. This approach can enable better understanding of the toxic mechanism of DEHP-induced human female reproductive toxicity and reveal potential novel DEHP female reproductive targets for experimental studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kristina Pogrmic-Majkic
- Department of Biology and Ecology, Faculty of Sciences, University of Novi Sad, Trg Dositeja Obradovica 2, 21000, Novi Sad, Serbia.
| | - Dragana Samardzija Nenadov
- Department of Biology and Ecology, Faculty of Sciences, University of Novi Sad, Trg Dositeja Obradovica 2, 21000, Novi Sad, Serbia
| | - Biljana Tesic
- Department of Biology and Ecology, Faculty of Sciences, University of Novi Sad, Trg Dositeja Obradovica 2, 21000, Novi Sad, Serbia
| | - Svetlana Fa Nedeljkovic
- Department of Biology and Ecology, Faculty of Sciences, University of Novi Sad, Trg Dositeja Obradovica 2, 21000, Novi Sad, Serbia
| | - Dunja Kokai
- Department of Biology and Ecology, Faculty of Sciences, University of Novi Sad, Trg Dositeja Obradovica 2, 21000, Novi Sad, Serbia
| | - Bojana Stanic
- Department of Biology and Ecology, Faculty of Sciences, University of Novi Sad, Trg Dositeja Obradovica 2, 21000, Novi Sad, Serbia
| | - Nebojsa Andric
- Department of Biology and Ecology, Faculty of Sciences, University of Novi Sad, Trg Dositeja Obradovica 2, 21000, Novi Sad, Serbia
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75
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Balčiūnaitė A, Upadhyay KK, Radinović K, Santos DMF, Montemor MF, Šljukić B. Steps towards highly-efficient water splitting and oxygen reduction using nanostructured β-Ni(OH) 2. RSC Adv 2022; 12:10020-10028. [PMID: 35424964 PMCID: PMC8965823 DOI: 10.1039/d2ra00914e] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/11/2022] [Accepted: 03/20/2022] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
β-Ni(OH)2 nanoplatelets are prepared by a hydrothermal procedure and characterized by scanning and transmission electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction analysis, Raman spectroscopy, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. The material is demonstrated to be an efficient electrocatalyst for oxygen reduction, oxygen evolution, and hydrogen evolution reactions in alkaline media. β-Ni(OH)2 shows an overpotential of 498 mV to reach 10 mA cm-2 towards oxygen evolution, with a Tafel slope of 149 mV dec-1 (decreasing to 99 mV dec-1 at 75 °C), along with superior stability as evidenced by chronoamperometric measurements. Similarly, a low overpotential of -333 mV to reach 10 mA cm-2 (decreasing to only -65 mV at 75 °C) toward hydrogen evolution with a Tafel slope of -230 mV dec-1 is observed. Finally, β-Ni(OH)2 exhibits a noteworthy performance for the ORR, as evidenced by a low Tafel slope of -78 mV dec-1 and a number of exchanged electrons of 4.01 (indicating direct 4e--oxygen reduction), whereas there are only a few previous reports on modest ORR activity of pure Ni(OH)2.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aldona Balčiūnaitė
- Department of Catalysis, Center for Physical Sciences and Technology Saulėtekio ave. 3 Vilnius LT-10257 Lithuania
| | - Kush K Upadhyay
- Centro de Química Estrutural-CQE, Institute of Molecular Sciences, Departamento de Engenharia Química, Instituto Superior Técnico, Universidade de Lisboa 1049-001 Lisbon Portugal
| | - Kristina Radinović
- University of Belgrade, Faculty of Physical Chemistry Studentski trg 12-16 11158 Belgrade Serbia
| | - Diogo M F Santos
- Center of Physics and Engineering of Advanced Materials, Laboratory for Physics of Materials and Emerging Technologies, Chemical Engineering Department, Instituto Superior Técnico, Universidade de Lisboa 1049-001 Lisbon Portugal
| | - M F Montemor
- Centro de Química Estrutural-CQE, Institute of Molecular Sciences, Departamento de Engenharia Química, Instituto Superior Técnico, Universidade de Lisboa 1049-001 Lisbon Portugal
| | - Biljana Šljukić
- University of Belgrade, Faculty of Physical Chemistry Studentski trg 12-16 11158 Belgrade Serbia
- Center of Physics and Engineering of Advanced Materials, Laboratory for Physics of Materials and Emerging Technologies, Chemical Engineering Department, Instituto Superior Técnico, Universidade de Lisboa 1049-001 Lisbon Portugal
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76
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Rafailović LD, Jovanović AZ, Gutić SJ, Wehr J, Rentenberger C, Trišović TL, Pašti IA. New Insights into the Metallization of Graphene-Supported Composite Materials-from 3D Cu-Grown Structures to Free-Standing Electrodeposited Porous Ni Foils. ACS Omega 2022; 7:4352-4362. [PMID: 35155928 PMCID: PMC8829920 DOI: 10.1021/acsomega.1c06145] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2021] [Accepted: 01/12/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
The conductivity and the state of the surface of supports are of vital importance for metallization via electrodeposition. In this study, we show that the metallization of a carbon fiber-reinforced polymer (CFRP) can be carried out directly if the intermediate graphene oxide (GO) layer is chemically reduced on the CFRP surface. Notably, this approach utilizing only the chemically reduced GO as a conductive support allows us to obtain insights into the interaction of rGO and the electrodeposited metal. Our study reveals that under the same contact current experimental conditions, the electrodeposition of Cu and Ni on rGO follows significantly different deposition modes, resulting in the formation of three-dimensional (3D) and free-standing metallic foils, respectively. Considering that Ni adsorption energy is larger than Ni cohesive energy, it is expected that the adhesion of Ni on rGO@CFRP is enhanced compared to Cu. In contrast, the adhesion of deposited Ni is reduced, suggesting diffusion of H+ between rGO and CFRP, which promotes the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) and results in the formation of free-standing Ni foils. We ascribe this phenomenon to the unique properties of rGO and the nature of Cu and Ni deposition from electrolytic baths. In the latter, the high adsorption energy of Ni on defective rGO along with HER is the key factor for the formation of the porous layer and free-standing foils.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lidija D. Rafailović
- CEST,
Center of Electrochemical Surface Technology, Viktor-Kaplan-Strasse 2, Wiener Neustadt 2700, Austria
| | - Aleksandar Z. Jovanović
- Faculty
of Physical Chemistry, University of Belgrade, Studentski trg 12-16, Belgrade 11158, Serbia
| | - Sanjin J. Gutić
- Faculty
of Science, Department of Chemistry, University
of Sarajevo, Zmaja od
Bosne 33-35, Sarajevo 71000, Bosnia and Herzegovina
| | - Jürgen Wehr
- Airbus
Defence and Space GmbH, Willy-Messerschmitt-Str. 1, Taufkirchen 82024, Germany
| | - Christian Rentenberger
- Faculty
of Physics, Physics of Nanostructured Materials, University of Vienna, Boltzmanngasse 5, Vienna 1090, Austria
| | - Tomislav Lj. Trišović
- Institute
of Technical Sciences of the Serbian Academy of Sciences and Arts, Kneza Mihaila 35, Belgrade 11000, Serbia
| | - Igor A. Pašti
- Faculty
of Physical Chemistry, University of Belgrade, Studentski trg 12-16, Belgrade 11158, Serbia
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77
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Sencanski M, Perovic V, Milicevic J, Todorovic T, Prodanovic R, Veljkovic V, Paessler S, Glisic S. Identification of SARS-CoV-2 Papain-like Protease (PLpro) Inhibitors Using Combined Computational Approach. ChemistryOpen 2022; 11:e202100248. [PMID: 35103413 PMCID: PMC8805381 DOI: 10.1002/open.202100248] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2021] [Revised: 01/13/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
In the current pandemic, finding an effective drug to prevent or treat the infection is the highest priority. A rapid and safe approach to counteract COVID-19 is in silico drug repurposing. The SARS-CoV-2 PLpro promotes viral replication and modulates the host immune system, resulting in inhibition of the host antiviral innate immune response, and therefore is an attractive drug target. In this study, we used a combined in silico virtual screening for candidates for SARS-CoV-2 PLpro protease inhibitors. We used the Informational spectrum method applied for Small Molecules for searching the Drugbank database followed by molecular docking. After in silico screening of drug space, we identified 44 drugs as potential SARS-CoV-2 PLpro inhibitors that we propose for further experimental testing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Milan Sencanski
- National Institute of the Republic of SerbiaUniversity of BelgradeMike Petrovica Alasa 12–1411000BelgradeSerbia
| | - Vladimir Perovic
- National Institute of the Republic of SerbiaUniversity of BelgradeMike Petrovica Alasa 12–1411000BelgradeSerbia
| | - Jelena Milicevic
- National Institute of the Republic of SerbiaUniversity of BelgradeMike Petrovica Alasa 12–1411000BelgradeSerbia
| | - Tamara Todorovic
- Faculty of ChemistryUniversity of BelgradeStudentski Trg 12–1611000BelgradeSerbia
| | - Radivoje Prodanovic
- Faculty of ChemistryUniversity of BelgradeStudentski Trg 12–1611000BelgradeSerbia
| | | | - Slobodan Paessler
- Department of PathologyUniversity of Texas Medical BranchGalvestonTX 77550USA
- Institute for Human Infections and ImmunityUniversity of Texas Medical BranchGalvestonTX 77555USA
| | - Sanja Glisic
- National Institute of the Republic of SerbiaUniversity of BelgradeMike Petrovica Alasa 12–1411000BelgradeSerbia
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78
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Vidović J, Stojanović D, Cagnardi P, Kladar N, Horvat O, Ćirković I, Bijelić K, Stojanac N, Kovačević Z. Farm Animal Veterinarians' Knowledge and Attitudes toward Antimicrobial Resistance and Antimicrobial Use in the Republic of Serbia. Antibiotics (Basel) 2022; 11:64. [PMID: 35052941 PMCID: PMC8773276 DOI: 10.3390/antibiotics11010064] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2021] [Revised: 12/30/2021] [Accepted: 01/03/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is considered one of the most prevalent global health issues in both veterinarian and human medicine. This complex problem requires a "One Health" approach with the cooperation of all healthcare sectors, as well as agriculture, finance, and consumers. We conducted a survey with the objective to assess the knowledge and attitudes of farm animal veterinarians toward AMR and antimicrobial use in the Republic of Serbia with a small focus on mastitis therapy. A total of 110 respondents completed the questionnaire, which represents a response rate of 27.3%. The majority of our respondents (n = 102, 92.7%) completely agreed that AMR currently represents severe concern in the health sector. Unfortunately, less than one-third (n = 34, 30.9%) of the respondents had only heard about antimicrobial stewardship. Participants showed a positive attitude toward prudent antimicrobial use and were open to solutions to the AMR crisis. We noticed a certain gap between farm veterinarians' desire to improve and perform better in daily practice, while at the same time feeling like they did not have enough guidance, help, and resources.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jovana Vidović
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Novi Sad, Trg Dositeja Obradovica 8, 21000 Novi Sad, Serbia
| | - Dragica Stojanović
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Novi Sad, Trg Dositeja Obradovica 8, 21000 Novi Sad, Serbia
| | - Petra Cagnardi
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, Università degli Studi di Milano, 20122 Milan, Italy
| | - Nebojša Kladar
- Department of Pharmacy, Faculty of Medicine, University of Novi Sad, Hajduk Veljkova 3, 21000 Novi Sad, Serbia
| | - Olga Horvat
- Department of Pharmacology Toxicology and Clinical Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Novi Sad, Hajduk Veljkova 3, 21000 Novi Sad, Serbia
| | - Ivana Ćirković
- Institute of Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Belgrade, Dr Subotica 8, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Katarina Bijelić
- Department of Pharmacy, Faculty of Medicine, University of Novi Sad, Hajduk Veljkova 3, 21000 Novi Sad, Serbia
| | - Nenad Stojanac
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Novi Sad, Trg Dositeja Obradovica 8, 21000 Novi Sad, Serbia
| | - Zorana Kovačević
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Novi Sad, Trg Dositeja Obradovica 8, 21000 Novi Sad, Serbia
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79
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Cirovic A, Vujacic M, Petrovic B, Cirovic A, Zivkovic V, Nikolic S, Djonic D, Bascarevic Z, Djuric M, Milovanovic P. Vascular Complications in Individuals with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus Additionally Increase the Risk of Femoral Neck Fractures Due to Deteriorated Trabecular Microarchitecture. Calcif Tissue Int 2022; 110:65-73. [PMID: 34302494 PMCID: PMC8302969 DOI: 10.1007/s00223-021-00894-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/20/2021] [Accepted: 07/15/2021] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Abstract
Individuals with diabetes mellitus type 2 (T2DM) have an increased risk of hip fracture, especially if vascular complications are present. However, microstructural origins of increased bone fragility in T2DM are still controversial. DXA measurement of the contralateral hip and three-dimensional microCT analyses of femoral neck trabecular microarchitecture were performed in 32 individuals (26 women and 6 men, 78 ± 7 years). The specimens were divided to two groups: T2DM individuals with hip fracture (DMFx, n = 18) and healthy controls (CTL, n = 14). DMFx group consisted of individuals with vascular complications (DMFx_VD, n = 8) and those without vascular complications (DMFx_NVD, n = 10). T-score was significantly lower in DMFx_VD and DMFx_NVD than in controls (p < 0.001). BV/TV, Tb.N, Tb.Sp, SMI, and FD varied among DMFx_NVD, DMFx_VD, and CTL groups (p = 0.023, p = 0.004, p = 0.008, p = 0.001, p = 0.007, respectively). Specifically, BV/TV of DMFx_VD was significantly lower than that of DMFx_NVD group (p = 0.020); DMFx_NVD group had higher Tb.N and lower Tb.Sp compared with DMFx_VD (p = 0.006, p = 0.012, respectively) and CTL (p = 0.026, p = 0.035, respectively). DMFx group and healthy controls showed similar BV/TV, Tb.Th, Tb.N, Tb.Sp, Conn.D, DA, and FD (p = 0.771, p = 0.503, p = 0.285, p = 0.266, p = 0.208, p = 0.235, p = 0.688, respectively), while SMI was significantly higher in controls (p = 0.005). Two distinct phenotypes of bone fragility were identified in T2DM patients: patients with vascular complications showed impaired trabecular microarchitecture, whereas bone fragility in the group without vascular complications was independent on trabecular microarchitecture pattern. Such heterogeneity among T2DM patients may explain contradicting literature data and may set a basis for further studies to evaluate fracture risk related to T2DM.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aleksandar Cirovic
- Laboratory of Bone Biology and Bioanthropology, Institute of Anatomy, Faculty of Medicine, University of Belgrade, Dr Subotica 4/2, Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Marko Vujacic
- Institute for Orthopedic Surgery "Banjica", Mihaila Avramovića 28, Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Bojan Petrovic
- Institute for Orthopedic Surgery "Banjica", Mihaila Avramovića 28, Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Ana Cirovic
- Laboratory of Bone Biology and Bioanthropology, Institute of Anatomy, Faculty of Medicine, University of Belgrade, Dr Subotica 4/2, Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Vladimir Zivkovic
- Institute of Forensic Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Belgrade, Deligradska 31a, Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Slobodan Nikolic
- Institute of Forensic Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Belgrade, Deligradska 31a, Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Danijela Djonic
- Laboratory of Bone Biology and Bioanthropology, Institute of Anatomy, Faculty of Medicine, University of Belgrade, Dr Subotica 4/2, Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Zoran Bascarevic
- Institute for Orthopedic Surgery "Banjica", Mihaila Avramovića 28, Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Marija Djuric
- Laboratory of Bone Biology and Bioanthropology, Institute of Anatomy, Faculty of Medicine, University of Belgrade, Dr Subotica 4/2, Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Petar Milovanovic
- Laboratory of Bone Biology and Bioanthropology, Institute of Anatomy, Faculty of Medicine, University of Belgrade, Dr Subotica 4/2, Belgrade, Serbia.
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80
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Bila Dubaić J, Simonović S, Plećaš M, Stanisavljević L, Davidović S, Tanasković M, Ćetković A. Unprecedented Density and Persistence of Feral Honey Bees in Urban Environments of a Large SE-European City (Belgrade, Serbia). Insects 2021; 12:1127. [PMID: 34940215 PMCID: PMC8706874 DOI: 10.3390/insects12121127] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/07/2021] [Revised: 11/26/2021] [Accepted: 11/30/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
It is assumed that wild honey bees have become largely extinct across Europe since the 1980s, following the introduction of exotic ectoparasitic mite (Varroa) and the associated spillover of various pathogens. However, several recent studies reported on unmanaged colonies that survived the Varroa mite infestation. Herewith, we present another case of unmanaged, free-living population of honey bees in SE Europe, a rare case of feral bees inhabiting a large and highly populated urban area: Belgrade, the capital of Serbia. We compiled a massive data-set derived from opportunistic citizen science (>1300 records) during the 2011-2017 period and investigated whether these honey bee colonies and the high incidence of swarms could be a result of a stable, self-sustaining feral population (i.e., not of regular inflow of swarms escaping from local managed apiaries), and discussed various explanations for its existence. We also present the possibilities and challenges associated with the detection and effective monitoring of feral/wild honey bees in urban settings, and the role of citizen science in such endeavors. Our results will underpin ongoing initiatives to better understand and support naturally selected resistance mechanisms against the Varroa mite, which should contribute to alleviating current threats and risks to global apiculture and food production security.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jovana Bila Dubaić
- Faculty of Biology, University of Belgrade, Studentski Trg 16, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia; (J.B.D.); (M.P.); (A.Ć.)
| | - Slađan Simonović
- SOS Mobile Team for Rescue and Removal of Honey Bee Swarms and Colonies, Koste Glavinića 12, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia;
| | - Milan Plećaš
- Faculty of Biology, University of Belgrade, Studentski Trg 16, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia; (J.B.D.); (M.P.); (A.Ć.)
| | - Ljubiša Stanisavljević
- Faculty of Biology, University of Belgrade, Studentski Trg 16, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia; (J.B.D.); (M.P.); (A.Ć.)
| | - Slobodan Davidović
- Department of Genetics of Populations and Ecogenotoxicology, Institute for Biological Research “Siniša Stanković”—National Institute of the Republic of Serbia, University of Belgrade, Bulevar Despota Stefana 142, 11060 Belgrade, Serbia; (S.D.); (M.T.)
| | - Marija Tanasković
- Department of Genetics of Populations and Ecogenotoxicology, Institute for Biological Research “Siniša Stanković”—National Institute of the Republic of Serbia, University of Belgrade, Bulevar Despota Stefana 142, 11060 Belgrade, Serbia; (S.D.); (M.T.)
| | - Aleksandar Ćetković
- Faculty of Biology, University of Belgrade, Studentski Trg 16, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia; (J.B.D.); (M.P.); (A.Ć.)
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81
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Markovic SS, Jovanovic M, Gajovic N, Jurisevic M, Arsenijevic N, Jovanovic M, Jovanovic M, Mijailovic Z, Lukic S, Zornic N, Vukicevic V, Stojanovic J, Maric V, Jocic M, Jovanovic I. IL 33 Correlates With COVID-19 Severity, Radiographic and Clinical Finding. Front Med (Lausanne) 2021; 8:749569. [PMID: 34917631 PMCID: PMC8669591 DOI: 10.3389/fmed.2021.749569] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2021] [Accepted: 10/28/2021] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Objective: The increased level of interleukin (IL)-33 is considered as a predictor of severe coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) infection, but its role at different stages of the disease is still unclear. Our goal was to analyze the correlation of IL-33 and other innate immunity cytokines with disease severity. Methods: In this study, 220 patients with COVID-19 were included and divided into two groups, mild/moderate and severe/critical. The value of the cytokines, clinical, biochemical, radiographic data was collected and their correlation with disease severity was analyzed. Results: Most patients in the severe/critical group were male (81.8%) and older (over 64.5 years). We found a statistically significant difference (p < 0.05) in these two groups between clinical features (dyspnea, dry cough, fatigue, and auscultatory findings); laboratory [(neutrophil count, lymphocyte count, monocyte count, hemoglobin, plasma glucose, urea, creatinine, total bilirubin (TBIL), direct bilirubin (DBIL), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), albumin (ALB), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), creatinine kinase (CK), D-dimer, C-reactive protein (CRP), procalcitonin (PCT), Fe, and Ferritin)], arterial blood gases (oxygen saturation-Sa02, partial pressure of oxygen -p02), and chest X-rays (CXR) lung findings (p = 0.000). We found a significantly higher serum concentration (p < 0.05) of TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6, IL-12, IL-23, and IL-33 in patients with COVID-19 with severe disease. In the milder stage of COVID-19, a positive correlation was detected between IL-33 and IL-1β, IL-12 and IL-23, while a stronger positive correlation between the serum values of IL-33 and TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6, and IL-12 and IL-23 was detected in patients with COVID-19 with severe disease. A weak negative correlation (p < 0.05) between pO2 and serum IL-1β, IL-12, and IL-33 and between SaO2 and serum IL-33 was noted. The positive relation (p < 0.05) between the serum values of IL-33 and IL-12, IL-33 and IL-6, and IL-6 and IL-12 is proven. Conclusion: In a more progressive stage of COVID-19, increased IL-33 facilitates lung inflammation by inducing the production of various innate proinflammatory cytokines (IL-1β, IL-6, TNF-α, IL-12, and IL-23) in several target cells leading to the most severe forms of the disease. IL-33 correlates with clinical parameters of COVID-19 and might represent a promising marker as well as a therapeutic target in COVID-19.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sofija Sekulic Markovic
- Department of Infectious Disease, Faculty of Medical Sciences, University of Kragujevac, Kragujevac, Serbia
| | - Marina Jovanovic
- Faculty of Medical Sciences, Center for Molecular Medicine and Stem Cell Research, University of Kragujevac, Kragujevac, Serbia
| | - Nevena Gajovic
- Faculty of Medical Sciences, Center for Molecular Medicine and Stem Cell Research, University of Kragujevac, Kragujevac, Serbia
| | - Milena Jurisevic
- Department of Clinical Pharmacy, Faculty of Medical Sciences, University of Kragujevac, Kragujevac, Serbia
| | - Nebojsa Arsenijevic
- Faculty of Medical Sciences, Center for Molecular Medicine and Stem Cell Research, University of Kragujevac, Kragujevac, Serbia
- Department of Virusology and Immunology, Institute for Public Health Kragujevac, Kragujevac, Serbia
| | - Marina Jovanovic
- Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medical Sciences, University of Kragujevac, Kragujevac, Serbia
| | - Milan Jovanovic
- Department of Abdominal Surgery, Military Medical Academy, Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Zeljko Mijailovic
- Department of Infectious Disease, Faculty of Medical Sciences, University of Kragujevac, Kragujevac, Serbia
| | - Snezana Lukic
- Department of Radiology, Faculty of Medical Sciences, University of Kragujevac, Kragujevac, Serbia
| | - Nenad Zornic
- Department of Surgery, Faculty of Medical Sciences, University of Kragujevac, Kragujevac, Serbia
| | | | - Jasmina Stojanovic
- Department of Otorhinolaringology, Faculty of Medical Sciences, University of Kragujevac, Kragujevac, Serbia
| | - Veljko Maric
- Department of Surgery, Faculty of Medicine Foca, University of East Sarajevo, Foca, Bosnia and Herzegovina
| | - Miodrag Jocic
- Institute for Transfusiology and Haemobiology, Military Medical Academy, Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Ivan Jovanovic
- Faculty of Medical Sciences, Center for Molecular Medicine and Stem Cell Research, University of Kragujevac, Kragujevac, Serbia
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82
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Dinić M, Jakovljević S, Đokić J, Popović N, Radojević D, Strahinić I, Golić N. Probiotic-mediated p38 MAPK immune signaling prolongs the survival of Caenorhabditis elegans exposed to pathogenic bacteria. Sci Rep 2021; 11:21258. [PMID: 34711881 PMCID: PMC8553853 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-00698-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/10/2021] [Accepted: 10/15/2021] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
The host-microbiota cross-talk represents an important factor contributing to innate immune response and host resistance during infection. It has been shown that probiotic lactobacilli exhibit the ability to modulate innate immunity and enhance pathogen elimination. Here we showed that heat-inactivated probiotic strain Lactobacillus curvatus BGMK2-41 stimulates immune response and resistance of the Caenorhabditis elegans against Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. By employing qRT-PCR and western blot analysis we showed that heat-inactivated BGMK2-41 activated PMK-1/p38 MAPK immunity pathway which prolongs the survival of C. elegans exposed to pathogenic bacteria in nematode killing assays. The C. elegans pmk-1 mutant was used to demonstrate a mechanistic basis for the antimicrobial potential of BGMK2-41, showing that BGMK2-41 upregulated PMK-1/p38 MAPK dependent transcription of C-type lectins, lysozymes and tight junction protein CLC-1. Overall, this study suggests that PMK-1/p38 MAPK-dependent immune regulation by BGMK2-41 is essential for probiotic-mediated C. elegans protection against gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria and could be further explored for development of probiotics with the potential to increase resistance of the host towards pathogens.
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Affiliation(s)
- Miroslav Dinić
- Laboratory for Molecular Microbiology (LMM), Institute of Molecular Genetics and Genetic Engineering (IMGGE), University of Belgrade, Belgrade, Serbia.
| | - Stefan Jakovljević
- Laboratory for Molecular Microbiology (LMM), Institute of Molecular Genetics and Genetic Engineering (IMGGE), University of Belgrade, Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Jelena Đokić
- Laboratory for Molecular Microbiology (LMM), Institute of Molecular Genetics and Genetic Engineering (IMGGE), University of Belgrade, Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Nikola Popović
- Laboratory for Molecular Microbiology (LMM), Institute of Molecular Genetics and Genetic Engineering (IMGGE), University of Belgrade, Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Dušan Radojević
- Laboratory for Molecular Microbiology (LMM), Institute of Molecular Genetics and Genetic Engineering (IMGGE), University of Belgrade, Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Ivana Strahinić
- Laboratory for Molecular Microbiology (LMM), Institute of Molecular Genetics and Genetic Engineering (IMGGE), University of Belgrade, Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Nataša Golić
- Laboratory for Molecular Microbiology (LMM), Institute of Molecular Genetics and Genetic Engineering (IMGGE), University of Belgrade, Belgrade, Serbia
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83
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Veljković IS, Radovanović JI, Veljković DŽ. How aromatic system size affects the sensitivities of highly energetic molecules? RSC Adv 2021; 11:31933-31940. [PMID: 35495524 PMCID: PMC9041559 DOI: 10.1039/d1ra06482g] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/27/2021] [Accepted: 09/15/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Positive values of electrostatic potentials above the central regions of the molecular surface are strongly related to the high sensitivities of highly energetic molecules. The influence of aromatic system size on the positive values of electrostatic potentials and bond dissociation energies of C-NO2 bonds was studied by Density Functional Theory (DFT) calculations on a series of polycyclic nitroaromatic molecules. Calculations performed at PBE/6-311G** level showed that with the increase of the aromatic system size, values of positive electrostatic potential above the central areas of selected energetic molecules decrease from 32.78 kcal mol-1 (1,2,4,5-tetranitrobenzene) to 15.28 kcal mol-1 (2,3,9,10-tetranitropentacene) leading to the decrease in the sensitivities of these molecules towards detonation. Results of the analysis of electrostatic potential maps were in agreement with the trends in bond dissociation energies calculated for C-NO2 bonds of studied nitroaromatic molecules. Bond dissociation energies values indicate that the C-NO2 bond in the molecule of 1,2,4,5-tetranitrobenzene (56.72 kcal mol-1) is weaker compared to the nitroaromatic molecules with the additional condensed aromatic rings and with a similar arrangement of -NO2 groups (59.75 kcal mol-1 in the case of 2,3,9,10-tetranitropentacene). The influence of the mutual arrangement of -NO2 groups on the sensitivity of nitroaromatic molecules was also analyzed. Results obtained within this study could be of great importance for the development of new classes of highly energetic molecules with lower sensitivity towards detonation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ivana S Veljković
- University of Belgrade - Institute of Chemistry, Technology and Metallurgy, Department of Chemistry Njegoševa 12 11000 Belgrade Republic of Serbia
| | - Jelena I Radovanović
- University of Belgrade - Faculty of Chemistry Studentski trg 12-16 Belgrade 11000 Serbia
| | - Dušan Ž Veljković
- University of Belgrade - Faculty of Chemistry Studentski trg 12-16 Belgrade 11000 Serbia
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84
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Veličković P, Milovanović M. Improvement of the Interaction Model Aimed to Reduce the Negative Effects of Cybersickness in VR Rehab Applications. Sensors (Basel) 2021; 21:E321. [PMID: 33418838 PMCID: PMC7824908 DOI: 10.3390/s21020321] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/11/2020] [Revised: 12/17/2020] [Accepted: 12/17/2020] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Virtual reality (VR) has the potential to be applied in many fields, including medicine, education, scientific research. The e-health impact of VR on medical therapy for people cannot be ignored, but participants reported problems using them, as the capabilities and limitations of users can greatly affect the effectiveness and usability of the VR in rehabilitation. Previous studies of VR have focused on the development and use of the technology itself, and it is only in recent years that emphasis has been placed on usability problems that include the human factor. In this research, different ways of adapting interaction in VR were tested. One approach was focused on means of navigating through a VR, while the second dealt with the impact of the amount of animation and moving elements through a series of tests. In conclusion, the way of navigation and the amount of animation and moving elements, as well as their combination, are proven to have a great influence on the use of VR systems for rehabilitation. There is a possibility to reduce the occurrence of problems related to cybersickness if the results of this research are taken into consideration and applied from an early stage of designing VR rehabilitation applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Predrag Veličković
- Faculty of Organisational Sciences, Jove Ilića 154, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia;
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