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Objective: The pathophysiological mechanisms of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) are not well elucidated. It is assumed that oxidative stress and inflammation are the key underlying culprits for its onset and progression. To gain deeper insight into these processes, we have evaluated several oxidative stress parameters, inflammation markers [i.e., high sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP), serum amyloid A1 (SAA1)], soluble programmed cell death-ligand 1 (sPD-L1), and 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] in IPF patients. Patients and Methods: Biochemistry analyses were done in 30 consecutive IPF patients and 30 age and gender-matched healthy control group (CG). Results: IPF patients had significantly higher advanced oxidation protein products (p<0.001), pro-oxidant-antioxidant balance (p=0.010), total oxidative status (p<0.001), and ischemia modified albumin (p<0.001) compared to CG. Lower total antioxidant status and total sulfhydryl groups (tSGH) and significantly higher sPD-L1, hsCRP (p<0.001 for all), SAA1 proteins (p=0.014) and [25(OH)D] severe deficiency [11.0 (9.6-15.1) nmol/L] in IPF patients compared to CG were observed. Paraoxonase 1 activity and hsCRP level were lower, while tSHG and sPD-L1 were higher in IPF patients with more severe disease (i.e., II+III stage compared to I stage, p<0.05 for all). Conclusions: IPF patients are in a state of profound oxidative stress compared to healthy people. The inflammatory component of the disease was confirmed by higher hsCRP and SAA1, but lower [25(OH)D] in IPF than in healthy people. Also, higher levels of sPD-L1 in patients with IPF compared to healthy individuals suggest that sPD-L1 may have a significant role in immune response in IPF. © 2022 Verduci Editore s.r.l. All rights reserved.

The morphoanatomical and ultrastructural features of the integument (cuticle + epidermis) of an endemic Balkan millipede, Apfelbeckia insculpta (L. Koch, 1867), are investigated utilizing light (LM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Cuticle consists of epicuticle (outermost layer), exocuticle, endocuticle and membranous layer that is in contact with the underlying epidermis. Epicuticle is layer of varying thickness, while exocuticle is composed of helicoidally arranged sheets of microfibriles that appear as close-spaced light and dark bands. Endocuticle is the widest part of cuticle with the broad light bands that are oriented in the same direction. TEM micrographs show that these bands are composed of lamellae arranged in arcuate pattern and curved microfibriles. Membranous layer is intersected in some regions by canals that connect epidermis and different levels of the cuticle and/or surface. The epidermis is monostratified layer of cells that are characterized by distinct polarity. Basal part of epidermal cells is rich in rough endoplasmic reticulum and mitochondria, while apical part contains numerous osmiophilic granules. Nuclei of epidermal cells are ovoid and positioned in different regions of cells. Interdigitations are formed among cells in some epidermal regions. Our study corroborates previous findings on integument organization in Diplopoda and shows that species-specific patterns of cuticular ultrastructure can be present in these arthropods.

Montenegrin surface water and groundwater are important for the Balkan Peninsula since they are connected by the transboundary Dinaric Karst Aquifer System with the waters of additional five countries. The pollution from the surface water can rapidly infiltrate in aquifer and endanger this sensible ecosystem and the health of humans through drinking water supply. This chapter gives insights in the pressures of pollution on Montenegrin waters and in a limited literature data regarding freshwater ecotoxicological studies in Montenegro. Also, this chapter provides new ecotoxicological data obtained during survey in 2019, with a focus on the sites which are identified as hotspots of fecal pollution. The highest responses of biomarkers which indicate embryotoxic, genotoxic, and phytotoxic effects in zebrafish embryo test and in roots of Allium cepa were obtained at Ćehotina – downstream of Pljevlja. Similar results were detected at the site downstream Mojkovac at Tara, yet this site is affected by different type of pollution. Genotoxic endpoints in zebrafish stressed out sites on Morača and Lim rivers which are under pressures of fecal pollution. The data in this chapter provides an insight into current status obtained by the ex situ bioassays and indicates need for more comprehensive in situ assessment.

Montenegrin surface water and groundwater are important for the Balkan Peninsula since they are connected by the transboundary Dinaric Karst Aquifer System with the waters of additional five countries. The pollution from the surface water can rapidly infiltrate in aquifer and endanger this sensible ecosystem and the health of humans through drinking water supply. This chapter gives insights in the pressures of pollution on Montenegrin waters and in a limited literature data regarding freshwater ecotoxicological studies in Montenegro. Also, this chapter provides new ecotoxicological data obtained during survey in 2019, with a focus on the sites which are identified as hotspots of fecal pollution. The highest responses of biomarkers which indicate embryotoxic, genotoxic, and phytotoxic effects in zebrafish embryo test and in roots of Allium cepa were obtained at Ćehotina – downstream of Pljevlja. Similar results were detected at the site downstream Mojkovac at Tara, yet this site is affected by different type of pollution. Genotoxic endpoints in zebrafish stressed out sites on Morača and Lim rivers which are under pressures of fecal pollution. The data in this chapter provides an insight into current status obtained by the ex situ bioassays and indicates need for more comprehensive in situ assessment.

The ideal agent for prevention and treatment of uterine abnormal contractility has not been found. The polyphenol resveratrol possesses a wide spectrum of pharmacologic properties, but its influence on the contractility of human myometrium is not defined. The present study evaluated the effect of resveratrol on the oxytocin-induced contractions of human term pregnant myometrium in vitro and the contribution of different K+ channels to resveratrol action. Resveratrol induced a concentration-dependent relaxation of myometrium contractions (pD(2) value and maximal responses were 4.52 and 82.25%, respectively). Glibenclamide, a selective blocker of ATP-sensitive (K-ATP), iberiotoxin, a selective blockers of big-calcium sensitive (BKCa) and 4-aminopiridine, a non-selective blocker of voltage-sensitive (Kv) channels induced a significant shift to the right of the concentration-response curves of resveratrol. Inhibition achieved by 0.1 mM resveratrol was insensitive to all K+ channel blockers. A K+ channel opener, pinacidil, inhibited oxytocin-induced contractions of pregnant myometrium with comparable potency and efficacy to resveratrol (pD(2) values and maximal relaxation were 4.52 and 83.67%, respectively). Based on K+ channel opener/blocker affinities, it appears that the inhibitory response of resveratrol involves different myometrial K+ channels. When applied in high concentrations, resveratrol has an additional K+-channel-independent mechanism(s) of action. Furthermore, immunohistochemistry staining and western blot analyses detected the presence and distribution of K-ATP, BKCa and Kv channel proteins in pregnant myometrium.