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The presented study aimed to optimize polyphenol extraction from Satureja montana L. obtained from the experimental field of the Institute for Medicinal Plants Research ”Dr Josif Pančić”, Serbia, by varying the most important parameters for maceration, solid-to-solvent ratio, and extraction time. The obtained extracts were characterized regarding the total polyphenol content (TPC), total flavonoid content (TFC), antioxidant potential, extraction yield, conductivity, density, surface tension, and viscosity. The TPC and TFC were ~7 to 92 mg GAE (gallic acid equivalent)/g and 3.7 to 10.9 mg CE (catechin equivalent)/g, respectively. The highest extraction yield (86 %) as well as the highest antioxidant activities were obtained for the extracts prepared using a solid-to-solvent ratio of 1 g :50 cm3. On the other hand, the extraction time did not have a significant influence. The highest conductivity was measured in the extract prepared at a 1 g :10 cm3 ratio, while the highest density and surface tension were in the extract prepared at a 1 g :40 cm3 ratio (941 kg m-3 and 29.0 mN m-1, respectively). The highest viscosity was measured in the extract prepared at a 1 g : 20 cm3 ratio (2.89 mPa∙s). Our study shows the possibilities for the production of polyphenol-rich extract of S. montana which might be used in pharmaceutical, food, or cosmetic products.

The possibility to utilize the antibacterial and antibiofilm potential of essential oils (EOs) in dentistry is recognized and best seen in the design of EO-based mouthwashes. The up-to-date results, obtained with the most commonly used formulation being consisted of thymol, eucalyptol, menthol, and methyl salicylate (Listerine), proved its efficacy against plaque and gingival inflammation. However, novel alcohol-free products remain to be further investigated. Commercially available mouthwash containing curcumin, clove oil, mentha oil, eucalyptol, thymol and tea tree oil, and the mouthwash based on ginger EO (a-zingiberene, b-bisabolene, b-sesquiphellandrene, curcumene), reduced plaque index and improved periodontal status of the patients. The plaque index was also reduced and overall healing was improved after the surgical removal of the third molar by mouthwash containing John wort oil. In addition, Cinnamomum zeylanicum EO-based mouthwash and mouthwash containing peppermint oil were efficient against stomatitis and xerostomia, respectively. In addition to beneficial effects achieved in the mouth, i.e. at the appropriate site of application, novel investigations pointed-out that EO-based mouthwashes could be recognized as efficient in the reduction of bacterial and viral aerosols. This has been shown for Listerine, and for several mouthwashes containing following active substances of plants' EO origin: a-farnesene, b-farnesene, farnesol, nerolidol, a-bulnesene, eremanthin, b-sesquiphellandrene, spiroether, cinnamylacetate, cinnamaldehyde, eugenol, menthol, and carvacrol. This finding could be of special interest, in order to be included in further clinical studies related to COVID -19 pandemic.

In this study, the petals collected from peony hybrid Paeonia lactiflora "Bowl of Beauty" and Calendula officinalis L. were extracted using an ethanol-water mixture assisted with microwave and ultrasonic treatment. The isolation of Calendula officinalis L. essential oil was done by hydrodistillation as well. The total phenolic and flavonoids content in the extracts and oil were determined and their antioxidant activity was evaluated. The highest total phenolic content was found for the extracts of hybrid P. lactiflora and C. officinalis L. obtained by ultrasound extraction (83.16 and 114.47 mg GA/g, respectively), while the flavonoid content obtained by microwave-assisted extraction was relatively high (123.48 and 65.29 mg QE/g, respectively). The highest antioxidant activity was obtained in DPPH• and ABTS•+ assay for the microwave-assisted extraction of hybrid P. lactiflora (79% and 83%) and ultrasound-assisted extraction of C. officinalis L. (45% and 49%), respectively. To improve antioxidant activity of both types of examined analytes (extracts and essential oil), the pectin biopolymer film (as a carrier) was prepared in the process of enzymatically assisted catalysis. Optical microscopy and FTIR spectroscopy were used for the characterization of obtained materials. The films, with essential oil of C. officinalis L. and gallic acid, showed significantly increased percentage inhibition in DPPH• and ABTS•+ test (91% and 95%, respectively) after 10 minutes. The results, also, showed that all formulations of pectin biopolymer film, modified with gallic acid, can be successfully applied as a carrier for both types of ingredients.

Seed health testing aims to ensure a healthy crop and to prevent the spread of plant diseases. The need to study and apply both essential oils and plant extracts against seed diseases is growing and becoming more important. Coriander (Coriandrum sativum L.) is an annual herbaceous, aromatic, spicy and medicinal plant from the Apiaceae family, known for its seeds with a characteristic and pleasant odour. In human medicine, coriander is a part of various medicines for the treatment of digestive organs. Phytopathogenic fungi and bacteria are the most common and significant causes of coriander seed disease. The aim of this study was to assess coriander seed health and investigate the possibility of seed disinfection using peppermint (Mentha x piperita) essential oil. The health of the seeds was examined by the filter paper laboratory standard method. Different concentrations (1, 2, 5 and 10%) of peppermint essential oil were used for seed disinfection. The composition of the essential oil was determined by gas chromatographic analysis. The results of seed health analysis showed the presence of a fungus after seven days of incubation in a humid chamber at room temperature. The fungus was identified as Alternaria sp. (sect. Alternaria) based on the symptoms and macroscopic and microscopic features of the fungus (on seed and potato dextrose agar). Immersion treatment of infected seed in peppermint essential oil reduced the presence of Alternaria sp. on coriander seeds. The highest disease inhibition, 69,33%, namely 58,93% without the influence of the emulsifier, was shown by oil solution of 5%. Stagnation in inhibition was observed with a further increase in oil concentration. The results of this study show the possibility of disinfecting coriander seeds with peppermint essential oil to reduce infection with Alternaria sp.

This paper looks at the doll through the uneasy relationship between "tradition" and "contemporaneity". The traditional doll, both as a concept and as an artefact, belongs to the real world. It is defined as an object, an immobile figure controlled by a child. The traditional doll has no pretensions to be alive, and thus bears little resemblance to a human being. It is simple, unobtrusive, direct, mysterious, dependent on the child that gives it life during play. It has two fundamental virtues: silence, which is at the same time its most important means of communication, and submissiveness, which is based on fellowship and which implies the leaving of space to the "other", more precisely, to the child who is in fact "the first" and whom the doll "follows". Contemporary dolls can be material and non-material. Material dolls are most commonly made of inorganic materials, while non-material dolls are made of shadows, reflections, projections of symbolic form. Both have convincing human characteristics that they achieve thanks to various programs and "mechanisms". Contemporary dolls are seductive, talkative and ready to build "parasocial" and "postbiological" relationships in the digital world. Their supreme values are entertainment, noise, surprise, saturation of the senses, few demands on the mind. They aspire to be "first", and "demand" that the child should be in "second" position. A comparative study of these two dolls through a circle of ontological questions situated within the animate-inanimate opposition contributes to a better understanding of the status of the traditional/contemporary doll, the boundaries between man/the child and the doll, and relationships between people. The triumph of contemporary dolls threatens the status and the continued existence of the traditional doll. Due to the "humanization" of dolls and the "dollization" of people, the boundaries between people and dolls have been blurred. Increased intimacy with contemporary dolls leads to changes in social patterns based on greater distance between people.

Chemical composition of the essential oils (EO) of Pelargonium graveolens, Leptospermum petersonii and Cymbopogon martinii var. motia, and the absolute of Rosa centifolia and their bioactivity were examined. Major compounds in P. graveolens EO were monoterpene alcohols citronellol, geraniol and linalool; in L. petersonii EO monoterpene aldehydes geranial, neral and citronellal; in C. martiniii var. motia EO monoterpene alcohol geraniol and ester geranyl acetate, while in absolute of R. centifolia aromatic alcohol 2-phenylethanol. The EO of L. petersonii showed the strongest antibacterial while the EO of C. martinii var. motia the strongest antifungal potential. The best biofilm inhibition capacity was observed with R. centifolia absolute. The results of scanning electron microscopy analysis indicated that the EOs of L. petersonii and P. graveolens changed the number and morphology of C. albicans cells. The L. petersonii EO was the most potent toward tumour cells and exhibited the best biological activity. This is first comparative report summarizing efficacy of studied aromatic samples against pathogenic microbes, providing deeper insight into the modes of antimicrobial action, and at the same time describing their cytotoxicity against cell lines.

Background/Aim: Understanding the composition of bacteria in infected root canals is important for ameliorating the treatment strategies that lead to the elimination of pathogens and infection control, but also prevent reinfection. Aim of this study was to investigate microbial composition of primary infected root canals with apical periodontitis of young permanent teeth, originating form school children in Serbia, and its association with clinical symptoms.

Background/Aim. The main task of endodontic treatment is to eliminate pathologically altered tissue, to disinfect root canal space and to obtain its three-dimensional hermetic obturation. The main purpose of this study was to evaluate antimicrobial activity of new endodontic nano-structured highly active calcium silicates based materials albo-mineral plyoxide carbonate aggregate (ALBO-MPCA) and calcium silicates (CS) in comparison to mineral trioxide aggregate (MTA+) and UltraCal XS (CH). Methods. The antimicrobial activity of materials was tested against Staphylococcus aureus (ATCC 25923) and Enterococcus faecalis (ATCC 14506) strains, and following clinical isolates: Rothia dentocariosa, Enterococcus faecalis, Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus anginosus and Streptococcus vestibularis using a double layer agar diffusion test. The pH measurements were performed using the pH meter. Total amount of released ions was determined by inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry (ICP-OES). Results. All tested materials showed the best antibacterial potential after 1 h of incubation. After 3h and 24h of the incubation period, the antibacterial potential of all tested materials were similar. The Agar diffusion test showed that ALBO-MPCA, CS and MTA+ had similar inhibition zones (p > 0.05), except in the activity against Staphylococcus aureus where ALBO-MPCA showed better antimicrobial properties than MTA+ in 3h and 24h of the incubation period (p < 0.05). Following 24h of the incubation, the inhibition zones were the strongest with CH against Staphylococcus aureus (16.67 ± 2.34 mm) followed by ALBO-MPCA (14.67 ± 1.21 mm) and the weakest with CS against Enterococcus faecalis (6.50 ± 1.76 mm). CH showed the highest pH, followed by ALBO-MPCA, CS and MTA+. Conclusion. The expressed antibacterial effects indicate that materials based on nano-structured highly active calcium silicates represent effective therapeutic agents for root canal obturation in one-visit apexification treatment, therefore they are recommend for further examination and clinical trials as they are proposed for MTA substitution. [Project of the Serbian Ministry of Education, Science and Technological Development, Grant no. 172026 Grant no. TR31079]

Chemical composition, antimicrobial and cytotoxic activities of commercial essential oils’ samples from the aerial plant parts of H. officinalis, R. officinalis and S. officinalis were investigated. Analyses by GC-FID and GC-MS confirmed 52 oil components. The major constituent of the H. officinalis oil was cis-pinocamphone (34.4%), followed by transpinocamphone (23.3%), and β-pinene (11.3%). Analysis of R. officinalis oil revealed 1.8-cineol as a major constituent (43.8%), as well as transpinocamphone (12.5%), α-pinene (11.5%) and β-pinene (8.2%). The most dominant constituent of S. officinalis oil was cis-thujone (32.7%), in addition to camphor (17.2%), 1.8-cineol (10.1%), α-pinene (8.6%), transthujone (7.7%) and camphene (7.3%). The essential oil antimicrobial activity assay was performed by the use of microdilution method against oral Candida spp. and bacteria, the major causative agents of a number of human oral disorders; all of them were susceptible to tested concentrations of H. officinalis, R. officinalis and S. officinalis essential oils, although the oil of S. officinalis exhibited the lowest antimicrobial potential. The results obtained in this study encourage use of investigated essential oils from Lamiaceae family in development of safe natural agents for prevention and/ or alternative therapy of human oral diseases. However, a special care during development of an effective natural preparation is required.

Field trial with yellow gentian was established (11.1 plants per m2) at 1004 m.a.s.l., in order to assess the effect of black PE (bPE), silver PE (sPE), and black permeable biodegradable (bPB) mulching films on the root yield and development during six years. The highest crop density measured prior to the root harvest (sixth year), was obtained in the plot with bPB film (84%), while in the plot with bPE and in control (without mulch) number of plants was reduced by 34.2% and 45%, respectively. In addition, application of the bPB film proved to be the most effective treatment; in the fifth and sixth year root yields per m2 increased by 92.3% and 106.0%, respectively, in comparison to bPE, and by 78.9% and 69.2%, respectively, in comparison to sPE, and by 184.4% and 169.6%, respectively, in comparison to control. Application of bPE had a lower positive effect on YG root yield than control (-18.6%-54.95%), whereas the effect of sPE was higher than the bPE and control; the achieved root yields were higher, 29.7% and 70.6%, respectively.

Introduction. Bacterial cell hydrophobicity and adherence to a substrate are one of the most important factors in biofilm formation. Group A streptococcus is an unstable and low biofilm productor. Importance of biofilm production in streptococcal pathogenesis is still unknown. Objective. The aim of this study was to determine the impact of hydrophobicity and adherence on the biofilm production of group A streptococcal invasive and noninvasive isolates, and also to evaluate the stability of biofilm production in time function. Methods. Adherence, hydrophobicity and biofilm production were investigated in a total of 172 isolates divided into three groups: noninvasive, low invasive and highly invasive. Adherence to uncoated and laminin-coated microtiter plates and biofilm production after 12, 24 and 48 hours of incubation was determined using the method described by Stepanović et al. Hydrophobicity was measured using the MATH test by Rosenberg and SAT test by Lindhal. Results. Correlation between adherence and biofilm production was detected in the group of noninvasive isolates. These isolates were stable biofilm productors during all three time periods of biofilm production. In the groups of invasive and noninvasive isolates no statistical correlation was detected among the analysed variables. The invasive isolates were unstable biofilm productors. Conclusion. Noninvasive isolates were stable biofilm producers; as detected, they showed a direct correlation between adherence and biofilm production, and a negative impact of hydrophobicity on the biofilm production. Invasive isolates were unstable biofilm productors; it was observed that there was no correlation between adherence and hydrophobicity with biofilm production. [Projekat Ministarstva nauke Republike Srbije, br. 175039: Bakterije rezistentne na antibiotike u Srbiji: fenotipska i genotipska rezistencija]

Introduction. In Gram-negative bacteria, the production of beta-lactamases is the most important mechanism of resistance to beta-lactam antibiotics. In the Banja Luka region, there were no extensive researches on the prevalence and antimicrobial resistance of the extended-spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL) producing Escherichia coli (E. coli) isolates. Objective. The aim of the present study was to determine the presence of ESBL producing E. coli isolates as the cause of the urinary tract infections in outpatients, the distribution of these ESBL isolates according to age and gender of patients and their susceptibility to antimicrobials. Methods. Urine specimens obtained from outpatients were cultured on chromogenic CPS-ID3 media. All plates showing significant (>105 cfu/ml) growth of E. coli in pure culture were further processed. Antimicrobial susceptibility testing was performed on VITEK TWO Compact using AST-GN27 cards for testing Gram negative bacteria and detection of ESBL producers. Results. Out of 2,195 isolates, 177 (8.1%) were ESBL producers. Ninety-two isolates were obtained from female patients (5% of E. coli isolated from women) and 85 isolates from male patients (23% of E. coli isolated from men). High percentage of ESBL isolates was detected in the infant age group under one year (36.7%) and in the age group over 60 years (28.8%). All ESBL isolates were susceptible to imipenem and resistant to ampicillin, piperacillin, cefazolin, cefotaxime, ceftazidime and cefepime. There was a significant resistance to amikacin (79.1%), gentamicin (76.8%), amoxicillin/clavulanate (54.8%) and trimethoprim/sulphamethoxazole (45.8%). Resistance to nutrofurantoin was 13.6%. Conclusion. This study has demonstrated the presence of ESBL producing E. coli urinary isolates in outpatients, and their extensive susceptibility to imipenem and nitrofurantoin.

Introduction. Escherichia coli (E. coli) are the most frequent cause of the urinary tract infections. Uropathogenic E. coli (UPEC) produce virulence factors which enable them to survive in the urinary tract and cause an infection. Objective. The objective of this study was to determine phenotype characterization of E. coli isolated from outpatients’ urine in the region of Banja Luka over three-year period. In line with the objective, the following research tasks were set up: determining the production of type 1 fimbriae, P-pili, α-hemolysin and siderophores. Methods. A total of 417 urinary isolates and 100 control intestinal isolates were screened for virulence factors. Production of adhesions was confirmed by haemagglutination test. Plate haemolysis test was done for the detection of α-hemolysin, and siderophores production assay was carried out by using the method named chrome azurol sulfonate agar diffusion assay. Results. In the group of urinary isolates, almost 60% of isolates produced two or three virulence factors; only 3.8% produced none of the virulence factors. In the group of intestinal isolates, even 43% of isolates produced none of the virulence factors while 48% of isolates produced a single virulence factor and 9% produced two virulence factors. Conclusion. Urinary isolates E. coli express significantly more P-pili, α-hemolysin and siderophore than intestinal isolates (p

This work covers the chemical composition and antimicrobial activities of the essential oils isolated from Satureja thymbra and Thymbra spicata analyzed using GC/MS. The main components of S. thymbra oil were thymol (33.8 %), γ-terpinene (30.8 %) and p-cymene (11.8 %). The main components in T. spicata oil were carvacrol (74.5 %) and γ-terpinene (11.2 %). The oils and their main components, thymol and carvacrol, were assayed by applying the microdilution method for antibacterial and antifungal activity against food poisoning, plant, animal and human pathogenic microorganisms. The oil of T. spicata and carvacrol showed the highest antimicrobial activity.

Steppe peony (Paeonia tenuifolia L.) is a strictly protected herbaceous species in Serbia, yet its growing conditions, nutrient needs, and heavy metal status are under-researched. This research is vital for conservation, as it supports sustainable cultivation, genetic diversity, and habitat restoration. This study addresses the gap in understanding how climate and soil characteristics affect P. tenuifolia, particularly regarding nutrient availability and heavy metal accumulation. Despite its recognized medicinal value, insufficient data on environmental impacts limit effective conservation and cultivation strategies. Addressing this gap will help determine optimal growth conditions and ensure the species' survival and medicinal use. Data on P. tenuifolia natural habitats in Serbia were collected following the Descriptor List for medicinal plants. Field and laboratory analyses assessed climatic and soil characteristics, as well as macro- and microelement contents and heavy metals in soil and plant organs. In Serbia, P. tenuifolia thrives in a semi-arid steppe climate on light, sandy loam soils with a pH of 6.9–7.4. The soils are rich in humus (4.36–5.76%) and nitrogen (0.34–0.37%), but low in phosphorus (1.16–3.50 mg/100 g) and variable in potassium (12.5–52.4 mg/100 g). Soil microelements are abundant, and harmful heavy metals are below critical levels. Plant organs, including flowers, seeds, leaves, and stems, show high phosphorus and magnesium levels, while potassium, manganese, and copper are generally low. The levels of potentially harmful elements like cadmium and chromium are near the maximum-allowed limits, suggesting avoidance of highly acidic soils for the cultivation of P. tenuifolia. Among the examined soils, Arenic chernozem is recommended for preserving the species' natural resources. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Paeonia peregrina Mill. is a protected, herbaceous species native to Southeastern Europe and Turkey. Due to its vulnerability, it has to be protected both in its natural habitats and through cultivation. Peonies are known to have a low potential for natural regeneration due to their seed dormancy, low germination rate, and long germination period. In this study, treatments with gibberellic acid (GA3 150, 200, 250, 300, and 350 mg L−1 GA3) and warm (at 20/16 °C day/night regime) and cold stratification (at 4 °C) were used to accelerate dormancy release and increase the germination rate. The seeds of P. peregrina from four natural habitats in Serbia and the Institute's collection were collected and analyzed. They showed an underdeveloped embryo that needs to grow inside the seed before it can germinate. The application of GA3 accelerated each stage of germination (seed coat rapturing, hypocotyl dormancy release, and epicotyl dormancy release) for approximately 10 days compared to the control. It was also found that two-day imbibition with 200 mg L−1 GA3 significantly accelerated and equalized germination. Higher GA3 concentrations had a more pronounced impact on each stage but also resulted in greater seed infection after the seed coat rupture, elongated and weak seedlings, while lower concentrations did not result in obtaining uniform seedlings. There were no significant differences observed between localities. Restoring P. peregrina through seeds and nursery-produced plants is crucial for conserving the genetic diversity of the tested species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]