CHEMICAL COMPOSITION AND MICROBIAL SAFETY OF PORK MEAT PRODUCTS ORIGINATING FROM HERZEGOVINA

Th is paper presents the results of chemical composition and microbiological safety testing of dry cured meat products, fermented and semi-dry or pasteurized sausages produced by several meat industries from Herzegovina. In the period from 2016 to 2018, a total of 85 meat products were sampled.Th ese included 20 samples of fermented pork sausages, 10 samples of dry-cured pork loin, 5 samples of dry-cured pork neck and 50 samples of heat-treated sausages. Quality control testing of the samples included determination of meat protein, crude fat, moisture, sodium nitrite and polyphosphates content in sausages, using standard analytical methods. It was confi rmed that all analysed samples meet the requirements in terms of chemical composition, level of additives and microbiological safety. In comparison with dry cured meat products and sausages analyses results, with minimum requirements that are set forth in regulations for that product category. Th e above mentioned suggests that the analysed samples are good quality products and they are in compliance with the regulations.

Environmental radioactivity proficiency tests: results evaluation of gamma radiation measurements in a case of emergency and continuously activities

A valuable tool for external quality control that provides opportunity to improve analytical skills and techniques in the field of radioactivity measurements is participation in proficiency tests (PTs). In this work obtained results from the gamma spectrometry intercomparison for 15 laboratories conducted in May 1986 immediately after the Chernobyl accident for the lucerne sample contaminated with fission products: 140Ba, 141Ce, 144Ce, 134Cs, 137Cs, 131I, 103Ru, 106Ru, 95Zr, are evaluated following the recommendations of the international standard ISO 13528:2005. Environmental radioactivity proficiency tests organized by International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) are designed to identify analytical problems, to help members states to maintain their accreditation and to provide knowledge and technology transfer in this area. The Analytical Laboratories for the Measurement of Environmental Radioactivity (ALMERA) is a world-wide network of analytical laboratories capable to analyzed radioactivity contents, coordinated by IAEA. Institute for the Application of Nuclear Energy (INEP), University of Belgrade, is an official member since 2013. Annual PTs are organized by ALMERA for the network laboratories using sets of different samples. Based on the PT proposition each result should pass accuracy and precision test to be awarded the status ‘Accepted’, otherwise it lies on the status ‘Warning’ or ‘Not Accepted’. INEP was participated in three worldwide open (in 2006, 2007 and 2011) and six (in a period 2012–2016) PTs organized by IAEA and ALMERA. Radionuclide activity concentrations in different environmental matrices were measured using gamma-ray spectrometer with high purity germanium (HPGe) detector. In IAEA worldwide open PTs among 61 results, 74 % were ‘Accepted’ and 26 % were ‘Not Accepted’. In ALMERA network PTs among 70 results, 84.3 % were ‘Accepted’, 4.3 % were ‘Warning’, 11.4 % were ‘Not Accepted’. PT exercises are the best way to identify gaps and problems areas where further development is needed.

SALMONELLA CONTROL IN POULTRY PRODUCTION AND RESISTANCE MONITORING IN SERBIA

A new regulation on Salmonella control in Serbia has been implemented recently. The main goal is to eliminate two most common serovars, Salmonella Enteritidis (SE) and Salmonella Typhimurium (ST) from the poultry farms and to keep the infections caused by these bacteria under control. Experimental work conducted in the past decade in our Institute provided evidence that Salmonella is transmitted easily in a flock and is hard to be eliminated from the farms and hatcheries. This is in good agreement with the published research work by other authors. It is also evident that good management practice and vaccination strategy must be implemented in poultry production. Therefore a simple questionnaire for poultry producers and hatchery experts to provide a quick overview of the management practice was designed in order to find out shortcomings. Salmonella monitoring must be conducted by applying bacteriological examination while serology control is efficient more during exploitation and less during rearing. However, it was found out that bacteriology and serology can be successfully combined in order to estimate the infection status. Although regular bacteriological screening for salmonella is compulsory, some farmers in the country do not pursue this type of analysis at the recommended frequency. Subsequently, those who send the samples for bacteriological examination more often seem to have more salmonella related problems. The most frequent finding of salmonella was in the chickens that died during transportation and the first three days of life and from paper pads. Extremely rare finding of salmonella was in breeding eggs and even rarer in table eggs. If environmental samples from commercial layers are positive, serology testing is recommended. Salmonella isolated from chickens and farm premises in Serbia were susceptible to most antimicrobials tested. Multiple resistances was quite seldom but approximately 20% of the isolates were quinolone resistant. The resistance to fluoroquinolones was not detected. However, Salmonella highly resistant to nalidixic acid with MIC (minimal inhibitory concentration) to NAL > 512 mg/ml were less susceptible to ciprofloxacin, although MICs to CIP were still below the CLSI recommended breakpoint (R > 4 mg/ml). Similar reports were obtained in investigation of salmonella isolated from human stool and the research indicates that the most frequent serovar in the country in humans, food and poultry include Salmonella Enteritidis, Salmonella Typhimurium and Salmonella Infantis.

Frequencies of clinically important CYP2C19 and CYP2D6 alleles are graded across Europe

CYP2C19 and CYP2D6 are important drug-metabolizing enzymes that are involved in the metabolism of around 30% of all medications. Importantly, the corresponding genes are highly polymorphic and these genetic differences contribute to interindividual and interethnic differences in drug pharmacokinetics, response, and toxicity. In this study we systematically analyzed the frequency distribution of clinically relevant CYP2C19 and CYP2D6 alleles across Europe based on data from 82,791 healthy individuals extracted from 79 original publications and, for the first time, provide allele confidence intervals for the general population. We found that frequencies of CYP2D6 gene duplications showed a clear South-East to North-West gradient ranging from <1% in Sweden and Denmark to 6% in Greece and Turkey. In contrast, an inverse distribution was observed for the loss-of-function alleles CYP2D6*4 and CYP2D6*5. Similarly, frequencies of the inactive CYP2C19*2 allele were graded from North-West to South-East Europe. In important contrast to previous work we found that the increased activity allele CYP2C19*17 was most prevalent in Central Europe (25–33%) with lower prevalence in Mediterranean-South Europeans (11–24%). In summary, we provide a detailed European map of common CYP2C19 and CYP2D6 variants and find that frequencies of the most clinically relevant alleles are geographically graded reflective of Europe’s migratory history. These findings emphasize the importance of generating pharmacogenomic data sets with high spatial resolution to improve precision public health across Europe.

γδ T Cells Modulate Myeloid Cell Recruitment but Not Pain During Peripheral Inflammation

Circulating immune cells, which are recruited to the site of injury/disease, secrete various inflammatory mediators that are critical to nociception and pain. The role of tissue-resident immune cells, however, remains poorly characterized. One of the first cells to be activated in peripheral tissues following injury are γδT cells, which serve important roles in infection, disease, and wound healing. Using a mouse line lacking these cells, we sought to identify their contribution to inflammatory pain. Three distinct models of peripheral inflammatory pain were used: intraplantar injection of formalin (spontaneous inflammatory pain), incisional wound (acute inflammatory pain), and intraplantar injection of complete Freund's adjuvant (chronic inflammatory pain). Our results show that absence of γδT cells does not alter baseline sensitivity, nor does it result in changes to mechanical or thermal hypersensitivity after tissue injury. Myeloid cell recruitment did show differential changes between models of acute and chronic inflammatory pain. These results were consistent in both male and female mice, suggesting that there are no sex differences in these outcomes. This comprehensive characterization suggests that γδT cells do not contribute to basal sensitivity or the development and maintenance of inflammatory pain.

Epidemiology of human trichinellosis in Vojvodina province, Serbia, from 2005 to 2016

Trichinellosis is one of the most important foodborne diseases in the Eastern European countries. The main objective of this study was to investigate the epidemiological patterns of trichinellosis outbreaks that occurred between 2005 and 2016 in Vojvodina, a northern province of the Republic of Serbia. The average incidence was 3.5 per 100,000 inhabitants. A total of 828 people acquired the infection. The disease occurred in all age groups, slightly more often in males, and quite frequently in a severe form considering the high share of hospitalised patients and the fatal outcome rate (41.6 ± 31.1% and 0.4%, respectively). Trichinella spiralis was confirmed as the causative agent in eight outbreaks. The outbreaks usually occurred among family members due to the consumption of pork or traditional pork products from not tested backyard pigs. Veterinary control measures and the education of consumers and farmers should be implemented to control this zoonotic disease.

Prevalence of the giant liver fluke (fascioloides magna, bassi, 1875) in red deer (cervus elaphus) in the region of floodplain forests of northern Serbia

This is the first study offering insights into the prevalence of giant liver fluke in the population of red deer in the territory of Serbia. Giang liver fluke (Fascioloides magna, Bassi, 1875) is the most important liver parasite among wild ruminants in Europe, especially in the region of floodplain forests along the upper watercourse of Danube river. The main objective of this research was establishing the prevalence of giant liver fluke in the region of floodplain forests of northern Serbia. In the observed regions (hunting grounds), the population prevalence rates ranged from 0 to 80% with an average prevalence in positive herds being 70.6%. The total population of red deer, from the observed hunting grounds, exposed to the giant liver fluke includes 47.9% of red deer population in Serbia, which is 0.7% of the total hunting area of Serbia. Giant liver fluke is present in north-western regions of Serbia in a narrow area of floodplain forests along the watercourse of Danube and Sava rivers next to the border with Croatia. The red deers populating the wetland basin of “Gornje Podunavlje” migrate freely through the tri-border area of Hungary, Croatia and Serbia making a consistent epizootical unit. Moreover, the game migrates freely between Croatia and Serbia in the area of Posavina forests along the river Sava. All data obtained in this research are essential for further activities aimed at preventing the spread of this parasite within red deer population and thus decreasing consequent damages and losses.

Acth-induced model of depression resistant to tricyclic antidepressants: Neuroendocrine and behavioral changes and influence of long-term magnesium administration

Magnesium (Mg), is not only a modulator of the glutamatergic NMDA receptors' affinity, it also prevents HPA axis hyperactivity, thus possibly being implicated in neurobiological features of mood disorders. Further uncovering of molecular mechanisms underlying magnesium's proposed effects is needed due to the recent shift in research of treatment resistant depression (TRD) towards glutamatergic pathways. Here, we applied Mg via drinking water for 28 days (50 mg/kg/day), in ACTH-treated rats, an established animal model of depression resistant to tricyclic antidepressants. Using this model in male rats we measured (1) changes in hippocampal neurogenesis and behavioral alterations, (2) adrenal hormones response to acute stress challenge and (3) levels of biometals involved in regulation of monoamines turnover in rat prefrontal cortex. Our results support beneficial behavioral impact of Mg in TRD model together with increased hippocampal neurogenesis and BDNF expression. Furthermore, Mg prevented ACTH-induced disruption in HPA axis function, by normalizing the levels of plasma ACTH, corticosterone and interleukin-6, and by increasing the peripheral release of adrenaline, noradrenaline and serotonin after the acute stress challenge. Finally, the influence on copper/zinc ratio suggested probable magnesium's involvement in monoamine turnover in PFC. Our findings provide further insights into the possible pathways implicated in the behavioral modulation effects of Mg, as well as its central and peripheral effects in ACTH-induced TRD model. Thus, further investigation of molecular signaling related to the glutamatergic transmission and role of Mg, could reveal prospects to novel treatment strategies that could be of particular importance for patients suffering from TRD.

Models of spin-orbit-coupled oligomers

We address the stability and dynamics of eigenmodes in linearly shaped strings (dimers, trimers, tetramers, and pentamers) built of droplets in a binary Bose-Einstein condensate (BEC). The binary BEC is composed of atoms in two pseudo-spin states with attractive interactions, dressed by properly arranged laser fields, which induce the (pseudo-) spin-orbit (SO) coupling. We demonstrate that the SO-coupling terms help to create eigenmodes of particular types in the strings. Dimer, trimer, and pentamer eigenmodes of the linear system, which correspond to the zero eigenvalue (EV, alias chemical potential) extend into the nonlinear ones, keeping an exact analytical form, while tetramers do not admit such a continuation, because the respective spectrum does not contain a zero EV. Stability areas of these modes shrink with the increasing nonlinearity. Besides these modes, other types of nonlinear states, which are produced by the continuation of their linear counterparts corresponding to some nonzero EVs, are found in a numerical form (including ones for the tetramer system). They are stable in nearly entire existence regions in trimer and pentamer systems, but only in a very small area for the tetramers. Similar results are also obtained, but not displayed in detail, for hexa- and septamers.

First Detection and Clinical Presentation of Porcine Epidemic Diarrhea Virus (Pedv) in Serbia

During 2015/2016, fecal and intestinal samples from live diseased and/or dead pigs with suspected PEDV and/or TGEV and signs of rotavirus infection were collected from in total seven different farrow-to-finish swine farms located in Northern Serbia region (Vojvodina Province). A total of 14 samples (2 pools per farm) of small intestine with fecal content were submitted to laboratory molecular investigation (multiplex RTPCR). On these farms the clinical signs included the occurrence of diarrhea in suckling and weaned piglets, with weak or no response to the applied antimicrobial therapy. The epidemic of severe diarrhea affecting pigs of all ages on one farrow-to finish swine farm was detected in January 2016. Watery diarrhea in all swine categories was associated with vomiting and a reduction in feed consumption. Diarrheic, gaunt and dehydrated piglets, covered with feces were found in 90% litters. The disease affected most severely the suckling piglets, and the mortality in newborn piglets was up to 35%. In the weaned piglets and fatteners the mortality was up to 2.5% and 1.2%, respectively. The PEDV RNA was detected in pooled feces and samples of small intestines derived from diseased and dead suckling piglets from only one investigated farm. The PEDV positive samples showed to be negative for rotavirus group A and TGEV. The transport vehicles were identified as the main possible route of PEDV introduction. This is the first report demonstrating the presence of PEDV in Serbia.

GENETIC MECHANISMS OF METHICILLIN RESISTANCE IN STAPHYLOCOCCUS AUREUS (MRSA) AND ITS CAPACITY OF TRANSMISSION: A BRIEF REVIEW

Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus is one of the most important human pathogens. Th ese bacteria have the ability to colonize animals andcross species barriers. Th ree major groups of MRSA strains have emerged. Healthcare associated MRSA and community acquired MRSA strains have potential to spread worldwide and oft en persist in hospitals and communities as clonal strains. Th e livestock-associated MRSA has been isolated from healthy human carriers but also from infected patients all around the world. Molecular typing of staphylococcal cassette chromosome mec (SCCmec), multilocus sequence typing in combination with pulse fi eld gel electrophoresis and spa typing are most frequently used for genetic characterization of MRSA strains. Th e community-acquired MRSA strains are capable of producing Panton Valentine leukocidin (PVL) cytotoxin which is their major virulence determinant. MRSA strains possess a number of virulence factors that are common in other bacteria and it is still not entirely explained which virulence factors or mechanisms of their regulation are important for the pathogenic potential, persistence in the environment or the ability to cause detrimental infection in patients. Recently, as a contribution to the progress of molecular biology, peculiar mechanisms of genetic regulation of virulence genes have been discovered and their role in pathogenesis of infection and epidemiology of MRSA has been studied.

Evaluation of neuroendocrine tumors with 99mTc-EDDA/HYNIC TOC

BACKGROUND

This paper is the short review of our preliminary results obtained with 99mTc-EDDA/HYNIC-TOC.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

The total of 495 patients with different neuroendocrine tumors were investigated during last few years.

RESULTS

There have been 334 true positive (TP), 73 true negative (TN), 6 false positive (FP) and 82 false negative findings (FN). Diagnosis was made according to SPECT findings in 122 patients (25%). The mean T/NT ratio for TP cases was significantly higher (p < 0.01) on SPECT (3.12 ± 1.13) than on whole body scan (2.2 ± 0.75). According to our results, overall sensitivity of the method is 80%, specificity 92%, positive predictive value 98%, negative predictive value 47% and accuracy 82%. Fifteen TP patients underwent therapy with 90Y-DOTATATE.

CONCLUSION

Scintigraphy of neuroendocrine tumors with 99mTc-Tektrotyd is a useful method for diagnosis, staging and follow up of the patients suspected to have neuroendocrine tumors. SPECT had important role in diagnosis. It is also helpful in the appropriate choice of the therapy, including the peptide receptor radionuclide therapy. In the absence of 68Ga-labeled peptides and PET/CT, the special emphasize should be given to application of SPECT/CT as well as to the radioguided surgery.

Organochlorine pesticides in canned tuna and sardines on the Serbian market

The aim of this study was to determine the level of organochlorine (OC) pesticides in 57 samples of canned tuna and 31 samples of canned sardines in vegetable oil, collected from supermarkets in Serbia. OC pesticides α-HCH, β-HCH, δ-HCH, dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (DDT), DDE, DDD, dielderin, endosulfane I, endosulfane II, endosulan sulfate, endrin, endrin ketone, heptachlor, heptachlor epoxide, lindane, aldrin, metoxichlor, cis-chlordane and trans-chlordane were determined using a GS-MS method. The highest concentrations (µg kg^-1, arithmetic means) in canned tuna were for δ-HCH (60.6 ± 97.0) and p, p´-DDT (55.0 ± 25.1), while the corresponding values in canned sardines were for δ-HCH (90.7 ± 102.7) and endosulfane II (78.0 ± 145.9). Mean level for the sum of endosulfans was above the maximum limit in canned sardines (85.0 µg kg^-1). Also, dieldrin (39.7 µg kg^-1) was measured above the ML.

Analysis of Treatment-Related Factors Affecting Mortality in Patients with Severe Necrotizing Acute Pancreatitis

The aim of the paper was to determine the factors related to the initial therapy that may contribute to death from severe necrotizing acute pancreatitis and to analyze their clinical importance as well as possible additive effects.

A retrospective case-control study included all adult patients treated for severe necrotizing acute pancreatitis in the Clinical Center of Kragujevac, Serbia, during the five-year period (2006-2010.). The cases (n = 41) were patients who died, while the controls (n = 69) were participants who survived. In order to estimate the relationship between potential risk factors and observed outcome, crude and adjusted odds ratios (OR) with 95 % confidence intervals (CI) were calculated in logistic regression models.

Significant association with observed outcome was shown for the use of gelatin and/or hydroxyethyl starch (adjusted OR 12.555; 95 % CI 1.150-137.005), use of albumin (adjusted OR 27.973; 95 % CI 1.741-449.373), use of octreotide (adjusted OR 16.069; 95 % CI 1.072-240.821) and avoiding of enteral feeding (adjusted OR 3.933; 95 % CI 1.118-13.829), while the use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs had protective role (adjusted OR 0.057; 95 % CI 0.004-0.805).

The risk of death in patients with predicted severe necrotizing acute pancreatitis could be reduced with avoidance of treatment with colloid solutions, albumin and octreotide, as well as with an early introduction of oral/enteral nutrition and use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.

Hydrogen peroxide-induced oxidative damage in peripheral blood lymphocytes from rats chronically treated with corticosterone: The protective effect of oxytocin treatment

Contemporary lifestyle is commonly associated with chronic stress, an environmental factor contributing to development of various psychological and somatic disorders. Increased levels of glucocorticoids, observed in the chronic stress, induce the production of reactive oxygen species leading to genotoxicity. The aim of this study was to investigate whether chronic administration of oxytocin (OXY) 10 IU/400 μL/day, s.c., for 14 days, a hormone presumed to exert antioxidant effect, may prevent DNA damage in the comet assay of peripheral blood lymphocytes of Wistar rats treated chronically with corticosterone (CORT) 100 mg/L ad libitum, per os, for 21 days, as well as, to influence some plasma oxidative stress parameters, i.e. levels of total lipid hydroperoxide (LOOH), and malondialdehyde (MDA), and the activity of antioxidative enzyme superoxide dismutase (SOD). Even though there was no reduction in overall number of damaged cells after oxytocin treatment only, the marked increase in total comet score (TCS) after incubation with H2O2 in CORT group compared to controls, was absent in the CORT + OXY experimental group. Furthermore, significant decrease of highly damaged cells compared to corticosterone group was noted. Chronic oxytocin administration thus protected lymphocytes from high intensity damage that leads to cellular death. In addition, treatment with OXY along with CORT, significantly decreased concentration of LOOH in plasma, and increased SOD compared to CORT treatment only. This finding corresponds well with current reports on beneficial effects of OXY in conditions of HPA axis hyperactivity, and supports the hypothesis of OXY-mediated antioxidant action.

Using (137)Cs measurements to estimate soil erosion rates in the Pčinja and South Morava River Basins, southeastern Serbia

The need for reliable assessments of soil erosion rates in Serbia has directed attention to the potential for using (137)Cs measurements to derive estimates of soil redistribution rates. Since, to date, this approach has not been applied in southeastern Serbia, a reconnaissance study was undertaken to confirm its viability. The need to take account of the occurrence of substantial Chernobyl fallout was seen as a potential problem. Samples for (137)Cs measurement were collected from a zone of uncultivated soils in the watersheds of Pčinja and South Morava Rivers, an area with known high soil erosion rates. Two theoretical conversion models, the profile distribution (PD) model and diffusion and migration (D&M) model were used to derive estimates of soil erosion and deposition rates from the (137)Cs measurements. The estimates of soil redistribution rates derived by using the PD and D&M models were found to differ substantially and this difference was ascribed to the assumptions of the simpler PD model that cause it to overestimate rates of soil loss. The results provided by the D&M model were judged to more reliable.

Biometric approach in selecting plants for phytoaccumulation of uranium

This paper promotes the biometric classification system of plant cultivars, unique characteristics, in terms of the uranium (U) uptake, primarily in the function of the application for phytoremediation. It is known that the degree of adoption of U depends on the plant species and its morphological and physiological properties, but it is less known what impact have plants cultivars, sorts, and hybrids. Therefore, we investigated the U adoption in four cultivars of three plant species (corn, sunflower and soy bean). "Vegetation experiments were carried out in a plastic-house filled with soil (0.66 mgU) and with tailing (15.3 mgU kg(-1)) from closed uranium mine Gabrovnica-Kalna southeast of Serbia". Principal Component Analysis (PCA), Cluster Analysis (CA) and analysis of variance (ANOVA) were used for assessing the effect of different substrates cultivars, plant species and plant organs (root or shoot) on U uptake. Obtained results showed that a difference in U uptake by three investigated plant species depends not only of the type of substrate types and plant organs but also of their cultivars. Biometrics techniques provide a good opportunity for a better understanding the behavior of plants and obtaining much more useful information from the original data.