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Objective: As a consequence of global warming, the increase in the average annual temperature is observed, while the living organisms actively adapt to these changes. High environmental temperature initiates numerous physiological, autonomic, and behavioral responses, and activates the stress response. Thus, the aim of the study was to investigate effect of a moderate increase in ambient temperature on the activity of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenocortical (HPA) axis by determining histological changes in adrenal glands and hormonal levels in adult male rats. Materials and methods: In this experimental study, the morpho-functional state of adrenal glands was estimated by stereological evaluation of parameters, including the adrenal volume, adrenocortical cell/nuclear size and number, and the volume density of vascular tissues after four days of exposure to a moderate increase in ambient temperature of 35 ± 1˚C. Novelli histochemical and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) immunohistochemical staining provided insight into the adrenal gland vascular network. Additionally, the adrenal levels of aldosterone, corticosterone, and pituitary adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) were determined as crucial indicators of the hypothalamic-pituitaryadrenocortical (HPA) axis activity. Results: Prolonged exposure to a moderate increase in ambient temperature for four days resulted in a significant increase in ACTH level up to 24%, which altered adrenal glands both structurally and functionally. The adrenocortical volume and number of cells in all cortical zones were markedly increased (P

Introduction. Otosclerosis is a disorder of the bone labyrinth and stapes resulting in conductive hearing loss. The genetic basis of otosclerosis still remains unknown. We aimed at reporting a comprehensive review of up-to-date knowledge on genetic basis of otosclerosis. Methods. Narrative literature review was undertaken to summarize the data about genetics of otosclerosis. Results. Genetics of otosclerosis has not been studied extensively and the literature on this topic is scarce. However, knowledge of genetic basis of otosclerosis is recently increasing. We have presented an overview of the knowledge of association of genetic markers with otosclerosis, gained from linkage analyses, candidate-gene studies, and modern high-throughput genomic studies. Conclusion. Due to its complex pathophysiology, otosclerosis is not a disease whose genetic base will be easily understood. Multiple omics analysis and bioinformatics will lead to elucidation of genetic basis of otosclerosis. [Project of the Serbian Ministry of Education, Science and Technological Development, Grant no. 451-03-68/2020-14/200042]

In order to assess heavy metal pollution in the city of Belgrade (Serbia) concentrations of V, Cr, Mn, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, Cd and Pb were measured on 18 topsoil samples collected in the proximity to central urban boulevards and in urban parks. In addition, concentrations of specified elements were determined in leaves of three evergreen plant species Buxus sempervirens L., Mahonia aquifolium (Pursh) Nutt. and Prunus laurocerasus L. so as to estimate their sensitivity to heavy metal pollution. Even though various types of soils from different quarts of Belgrade were sampled, their heavy metal contents were very similar, with somewhat higher concentrations of almost all elements detected in the proximity to high traffic roads. Generally, concentrations of heavy metals in leaves of investigated plant species paralleled the heavy metal concentrations found in their respective soils and were higher in plants sampled from boulevards then from urban parks. Since investigated plant show no visible injuries induced by detected heavy metal pollution these species are suitable for the successful urban landscaping. [Projekat Ministarstva nauke Republike Srbije, br. 173030]

Cyclohexane and methanol extracts of leaves and inflorescences of Ampelopsis brevipedunculata and Parthenocissus tricuspidata are shown to exert significant cytotoxic action on both estrogen-dependent (MDA-MB-361) and estrogen-nondependent (MDA-MB-453) breast cancer cell lines. Methanol extracts of P. tricuspidata exhibited higher cytotoxicity for the MDA-MB-453 cell line (inflorescence: IC50 =111.45 ± 2.56 μg/ml; leaves: IC50= 56.76 ± 7.11 μg/ml) than for MDA-MB-361. Cyclohexane extracts of A. brevipedunculata leaves exhibited high cytotoxicity against MDA-MB-453 (IC50 =78.32 ± 0.1 μg/ml) and the estrogen-dependent MDA-MB-361 cell line (IC50 =97.40 ± 2.61 μg/ml). The highest DPPH-scavenging ability was exhibited by methanol extracts of P. tricuspidata inflorescences, with IC50=7.55±0.07 μg/ml. The tested extracts possessed weak antimicrobial activity. Cikloheksanski i metanolni ekstrakti listova i cvasti Ampelopsis brevipedunculata i Parthenocissus tricuspidata pokazali su značajnu citotoksičnu aktivnost na estrogen-zavisne (MDA-MB-361) i estrogen-nezavisne ćelije raka dojke (MDA-MB-453). Metanolni ekstrakt P. tricuspidata ispoljio je veću citotoksičnost na MDA-MB-453 ćelije (cvast: IC50 =111.45 ± 2.56 μg/ml; listovi: IC50= 56.76 ± 7.11 μg/ml) u odnosu na MDA-MB-361 ćelije. Cikloheksanski ekstrakt listova A. brevipedunculata pokazao je visoku citotoksičnost na MDA-MB-453 (IC50 =78.32 ± 0.1 μg/ml), kao i na estrogen-zavisne MDA-MB-361 ćelije (IC50 =97.40 ± 2.61 μg/ml). Najveću sposobnost uklanjanja DPPH radikala imao je metanolni ekstrakt cvasti P. tricuspidata čija je IC50=7.55±0.07 μg/ml. Ispitivani ekstrakti poseduju slabu antimikrobnu aktivnost.