Search

ObjectiveTo determine vascular age (VA) in a cohort of persons with multiple sclerosis (PwMS) in Belgrade, Serbia, and to assess the difference between chronological age (CA) and VA, in this population.Material and methodsA case-control study was conducted at the Clinic of Neurology, University Clinical Center of Serbia in Belgrade. Study participants (n = 274) were recruited during regular outpatient visits. Demographic and clinical characteristics including the presence of CVD comorbidities of PwMS were collected. Data were obtained using a questionnaire, designed and adapted for the study purposes. Additionally, fasting blood samples were collected from all participants, in order to determine their lipid profile. VA was calculated based on the patient's sex, age, smoking status, total serum cholesterol level and systolic blood pressure (SBP) value. Afterwards, the study sample was divided into five groups with the different levels of the atherosclerotic burden, as follows: 1) PwMS without any CVD comorbidity; 2) PwMS with hyperlipidemia (HLP); 3) PwMS with HLP and hypertension (HTA); 4) PwMS with HLP, HTA and type 2 diabetes, and 5) PwMS with coronary artery disease (CAD). In the statistical analysis, for the determination of factors that are independently associated with the discrepancy between CA and VA in persons with MS, hierarchical regression analysis was performed.ResultsThe mean values of CA and VA were statistically significantly different among the groups(pConclusionOur study showed significant difference between CA and VA in PwMS and additionally, increasing VA with atherosclerotic burden. Additionally, it has been demonstrated that crucial factors which led to the occurrence of these differences were BMI, physical activity, EDSS and the presence of type 2 diabetes.

The study evaluated the effects of lime and dolomite application (2 and 4 t ha−1) in combination with NPK fertilizer (1 t ha−1) or borax (50 kg ha−1) on micronutrient concentrations in the raspberry leaves and fruits grown in the soil with a strongly acid reaction. Changes in the content of micronutrients (Fe, Mn, Cu, Zn, and B) and Al in the soil and raspberry leaves and fruits were monitored during a two-year period. Calcification reduced the content of micronutrients and Al in the soil, as well as their content in the plant. Applied doses of lime or dolomite of 4 t ha−1 almost completely neutralized the high to toxic content of mobile Al in the soil, but the values in the leaves although reduced were still high. In all applied treatments, high and very high concentrations of available forms of Fe and Mn in the soil and/or leaves and fruits were significantly reduced. However, the Mn concentrations in the soil, leaves, and raspberry fruits were very high. Calcification did not reduce the available Cu in the soil, while this effect was observed in raspberry leaves and fruits where the Cu concentrations were within optimal values. After calcification, the Zn and B concentrations decreased in the soil and plant, but they mostly remained within the optimal values. The results indicate that due to the very high concentrations of Al and Mn in the soil and plant after lime application, additional doses of lime materials in more than one season are required.

Abstract Camelina sativa (L.) Crantz is an oilseed crop with favorable potentials for biodiesel production, such as the high plant yield, high oil content in the seed, high net energy ratio, and low oil production cost. This review paper deals with the present state and perspectives of biodiesel production from camelina oil. First, important issues of camelina seed pretreatment and biodiesel production are reviewed. Emphasis is given to different biodiesel technologies that have been used so far worldwide, the economic assessment of the camelina oil biodiesel (COB) production, the camelina‐based biorefineries for the integrated biodiesel production, the COB life cycle analysis, and impact human health and ecosystem. Finally, the perspectives of COB production from the techno‐economic and especially genetic engineering points of view are discussed.

У раду се из угла постколонијалне критике анализирају два аутобиографска романа Џона М. Куција – Дечаштво: сцене из провинцијског живота и Младост. У првом делу рада расправља се о карактеристикама жанра autrebiography, што је ознака коју је сâм Куци употребио у вези са својим романом Дечаштво. Схватајући поменути жанр као тип историографске метафикције у којем је фокус стављен на питање другости, знања/моћи, односа истине и фикције, ауторка усмерава интерпретацију на проблеме дискурзивног конструисања идентитета аутобиографског субјекта у контексту сложене друштвено-политичке ситуације Јужне Африке, a нарочито на проблем јунакове идентитетске потраге у вези са његовим односом према другости (Другом и другом). На крају рада расправља се о мотиву фарме као о простору хетеротопије, при чему је дати мотив схваћен као назнака могућности постојања субјекта изван граница насиља и другости, симбол јунаковог преображаја и чворна тачка преко које јунак успоставља континуитет са собом и другима. Поред тога, подвучена је важност отворених завршетака Куцијевих романа у вези са његовим инсистирањем на немогућности говорења са другим, и показано на који начин такви завршеци кореспондирају са Куцијевим схватањем аутобиографије као секуларне исповести.

White mustard (Sinapis alba L.) seed oil is used for cooking, food preservation, body and hair revitalization, biodiesel production, and as a diesel fuel additive and alternative biofuel. This review focuses on biodiesel production from white mustard seed oil as a feedstock. The review starts by outlining the botany and cultivation of white mustard plants, seed harvest, drying and storage, and seed oil composition and properties. This is followed by white mustard seed pretreatments (shelling, preheating, and grinding) and processing techniques for oil recovery (pressing, solvent extraction, and steam distillation) from whole seeds, ground seed or kernels, and press cake. Novel technologies, such as aqueous, enzyme-assisted aqueous, supercritical CO2, and ultrasound-assisted solvent extraction, are also discussed. The main part of the review considers biodiesel production from white mustard seed oil, including fuel properties and performance. The economic, environmental, social, and human health risk/toxicological impacts of white mustard-based biodiesel production and use are also discussed.

Приказ књиге: Влајић, Тодор (2017), Српски венац, приредили Данијела Поповић Николић и Александар Костадиновић, Књажевац: Народна библиотека „Његош”.

У раду се интерпретира приповетка Молски акорди Мирка Демића, с фокусом на проблем наративног идентитета у оквиру вишеструких приповедних светова текста. Методолошко полазиште за анализу преузето је из посткласичне наратологије (понајвише из теорије могућих светова) и реторичке критике, као и из феминистичке критике и психоанализе лакановског типа. Указано је на карактеристике транссветовног и трансвременског идентитета јунака приче, и нарочито на сложене начине на које поједине наративне инстанце учествују у грађењу тих идентитета. Полазећи од контраста који је у основи мота приповетке, и пратећи бинарни кôд који је наизглед у основи семантике текста, ауторка показује могућности читања приповетке изван бинара, издвајајући скривени ток текста који је у вези са женскошћу.

Gas holdup was investigated in a gas–liquid and gas–liquid-solid reciprocating plate column (RPC) under various operation conditions. Aqueous carboxymethylcellulose (sodium salt, CMC) solutions were used as the liquid phase, the solid phase was spheres placed into interplate spaces, and the gas plase was air. The gas holdup in the RPC was influenced by: the vibration intensity, i.e., the power consumption, the superficial gas velocity, the solids content and the rheological properties of the liquid phase. The gas holdup increased with increasing vibration intensity and superficial gas velocity in both the two- and three-phase system. With increasing concentration of the CMC PP 50 solution (Newtonian fluid), the gas holdup decreased, because the coalescence of the bubbles was favored by the higher liquid viscosity. In the case of the CMC PP 200 solutions (non-Newtonian liquids), the gas holdup depends on the combined influence of the rheological properties of the liquid phase, the vibration intensity and the superficial gas velocity. The gas holdup in the three-phase systems was greater than that in the two-phase ones under the same operating conditions. Increasing the solids content has little influence on the gas holdup. The gas holdup was correlated with the power consumption (either the time-averaged or total power consuption) and the superficial gas velocity.

Objective: To determine vascular age (VA) in a cohort of persons with multiple sclerosis (PwMS) in Belgrade, Serbia, and to assess the difference between chronological age (CA) and VA, in this population. Material and methods: A case-control study was conducted at the Clinic of Neurology, University Clinical Center of Serbia in Belgrade. Study participants (n = 274) were recruited during regular outpatient visits. Demographic and clinical characteristics including the presence of CVD comorbidities of PwMS were collected. Data were obtained using a questionnaire, designed and adapted for the study purposes. Additionally, fasting blood samples were collected from all participants, in order to determine their lipid profile. VA was calculated based on the patient's sex, age, smoking status, total serum cholesterol level and systolic blood pressure (SBP) value. Afterwards, the study sample was divided into five groups with the different levels of the atherosclerotic burden, as follows: 1) PwMS without any CVD comorbidity; 2) PwMS with hyperlipidemia (HLP); 3) PwMS with HLP and hypertension (HTA); 4) PwMS with HLP, HTA and type 2 diabetes, and 5) PwMS with coronary artery disease (CAD). In the statistical analysis, for the determination of factors that are independently associated with the discrepancy between CA and VA in persons with MS, hierarchical regression analysis was performed. Results: The mean values of CA and VA were statistically significantly different among the groups(p<0.001). Additionally, a significant difference was also detected between CA and VA (p<0.001). The highest VA (66.4±15.8 years) and the difference between CA and VA (6.5±7.3 years) were registered only in the group comprising PwMS, HPL, HTA and type 2 diabetes. Results of the hierarchical linear regression analysis showed that the Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) score, Body mass index (BMI), physical activity and the presence of type 2 diabetes, explained a total of 24% of the variations in the difference between CA and VA, in our cohort of MS patients. Conclusion: Our study showed significant difference between CA and VA in PwMS and additionally, increasing VA with atherosclerotic burden. Additionally, it has been demonstrated that crucial factors which led to the occurrence of these differences were BMI, physical activity, EDSS and the presence of type 2 diabetes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The agricultural industry is constantly searching for new solutions to increase the productivity and nutritional value of crops under various conditions. Microbial inoculants have emerged as an alternative to traditional chemical fertilisers which could enhance crop productivity in acid soils - a major problem in modern agriculture. The aim of this research was to evaluate the effects of Bacillus megaterium and Mesorhizobium sp. on the seed germination of bird’s foot trefoil and orchardgrass under low pH (in vitro), as well as the nutrient composition of plants grown in acid soil. A positive impact of bacterial inoculation on seed germination was observed at pH 5 and 6 for both plant species. The content of macro- and microelements was within the range of optimal values for both plant species. This research provides valuable insights into the potential benefits of using bacterial inoculants to improve the seed germination and nutrient composition of plants grown in acid soils.