Search

Basalt as a filler in a polymer-based composite material fulfils the demand of being natural, environment-friendly material for the production of various composite materials. The material could be used as protective layer and the abrasion should be tested in order to evaluate the properties of the material. The cavitation test enables the evaluation of the possible service in conditions that simulate the extensive erosion. The presence of basalt in the matrix improves the resistance to cavitation. The possibility to further improve the material could be obtained using the reinforcement of the matrix itself by incorporation of submicron ceramic particles into the composite. The obtained hybrid composite material with the addition of reinforcement in the matrix further improves the cavitation resistance. [Projects of the Serbian Ministry of Education, Science and Technological Development, Grant no. TR34011 and Grant no. OI 176016]

Fault-related folds and hanging-wall structures reflect the geometry of the main thrusts in foldthrust belts. The results of the structural analysis of the Supragetic Unit metamorphic basement in eastern Serbia at map-, outcrop- and thin-section scale, and its importance for the late Early Cretaceous nappe-stacking are presented in this paper. The Supragetic Unit metamorphic basement includes various volcano-sedimentary rocks of Ordovician-Silurian protolith age. They were metamorphosed to the low greenschist facies with temperatures reaching 300-350°C and pressure reaching 0.3-0.5 GPa. The microscale studies show that quartz and albite demonstrate dominantly bulging and locally subgrain rotation recrystallisation, while chlorite, sericite and muscovite define spaced to continuous foliation recognised both at the outcrop- and the thin-section-scale. The statistical analysis based on the available map data shows low- to high-angle west-dipping foliation which is interpreted as an indicator of flat-ramp geometry of the Supragetic thrust, rather than east-vergent tight to isoclinal folding. At the thin-section scale ductile to semi-ductile C’-S structures indicate top to ESE thrusting. Subsequent kinking, recognised both at the outcrop- and the thin-section-scale, deform the older foliation. Those kink bands are the result of WNW-ESE to NW-SE compression and could represent the later stage of a continuous deformation event during which C’-S structures were formed. The youngest, brittle deformation is represented by subvertical joints with no offset recognised in thin-sections. The structural characteristics of the Supragetic Unit low-grade metamorphic basement in the studied areas, combined with tectonothermal events recognised elsewhere in Dacia mega-unit, could imply a possible initiation of the late Early Cretaceous nappe-stacking in the ductile to semi-ductile/semi-brittle domain. [Project of the Serbian Ministry of Education, Science and Technological Development, Grant no. OI176015 and Grant no. OI176019]

The area of eastern Srem is situated in the southern periphery of the Pannonian basin. Its depositional evolution during the Neogene and the Quaternary has been controlled by tectonic processes. Miocene extensional subsidence was followed by the Pliocene-Quaternary inversion of the basin. The latter was accomplished as the result of replacement of the tensile by the compressive stress field. Since the Late Neogene, the regional tectonic activity has been controlled by compressive stress produced by the northnortheastern propagation of the Adria microplate. In the compressive NE-SW-oriented stress field, the recent structural plan of the Pannonian basin and its wider environment, including its southern periphery, was reactivated. The youngest tectonic deformations are characterized by positive and negative vertical motions of large intrabasinal segments and basinal periphery, resulting in the final inversion of the basin. The effects of the basinal inversion can be recognized in genetic features of Quaternary sediments and geomorphological characteristics of the relief. Sources of data used for the interpretation of the Quaternary tectonic activity in the area of eastern Srem are of geological, geomorphological, thermochronological, and geophysical character. The positions of prominent fault structures have been ascertained by remote sensing, interpretations of available geophysical cross-sections, and using the field data. [Projekat Ministarstva nauke Republike Srbije, br. 176015]

Low-grade metamorphic rocks of the crystalline of Mts. Bukulja and Venčac, which are integral parts of the Vardar Zone, are of Late Cretaceous age. From the Middle Paleogene to the beginning of the Miocene, they were subjected to three phases of intensive deformations. In the first phase, during the Middle Paleogene, these rocks were subjected to intense shortening (approximately in the E-W direction), regional metamorphism and deformations in the ductile and brittle domains, when first-generation folds with NNE-SSW striking fold hinges were formed. In the second phase, during the Late Oligocene and up to the Early Miocene, extensional unroofing and exhumation of the crystalline occurred, which was followed by intrusion of the granitoid of Bukulja and refolding of the previously formed folds in a simple brachial form of Bukulja and Venčac with an ESE-WNW striking B-axis. The third phase was expressed in the Early lowermost Miocene (before the Ottnanghian), under conditions of NE-SW compression and NW-SE tension. It was characterized by wrench-tectonic activity, particularly by dextral movements along NNW-SSE striking faults.

This paper presents the basic structural elements of the dome of Veliki Jastrebac, as well as the chronology and mechanisms of the deformational events responsible for its formation. It was determined that the dome of Veliki Jastrebac consists of two large sequences which are, in the vertical section, in the inverse position. The lower part is made of Late Cretaceous and Cretaceous-Palaeogene low-grade to medium-grade metamorphic rocks, which are intruded by Paleogene granitoid (probably the Vardar Zone), which are covered with a large overthrust consisting metamorphics of the Serbian-Macedonian Mass. The low-grade to medium-grade metamorphosed complex of Veliki Jastrebac, with the granitoid, represents a metamorphic core complex, exhumed by mechanisms of extensional tectonics in the Paleogene.

This paper focuses on results of the paleomagnetic research conducted in the territory of Serbian Carpatho-Balkanides, within the following basinal domains: Babušnica-Koritnik (the Oligocene deposits), Žagubica (the upper part of the Lower Miocene and the lower part of the Middle Miocene deposits) and Dacian (the Pontian deposits). The clockwise rotations are established for each basinal region: Babušnica-Koritnik 10°, Žagubica 5-10° and Dacia 5-20°. On the basis of these results and the available data on rotations in the Romanian Southern Carpathians, new tectonic implications are discussed as a contribution to understanding the genesis of the Paleogene-Neogene and Neogene fabric of the Carpatho-Balkanides in Serbia. It is shown that this region has been subjected not only to vertical, but also to horizontal mobility during the latest stage of its geological development.

Objectives: Gestational hypertension (GH 1 ) is one of the most common pregnancy-related complications, however, there is still insufficient knowledge about its development and molecular changes. The aim of our study was to examine the expression of miR-17, miR-29a and miR-181a, as well as TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6 and IL-17 in women with GH and to investigate possible correlations between these parameters., Study Design: The study included 64 pregnant women, placed either in the control or the GH group. Quantitative real-time PCR (qPCR 2 ) was used to determine expression levels of microRNAs and cytokines' mRNAs., Main Outcome Measures: Expression levels of miRNAs (miR-17, miR-29a and miR-181a) and proinflammatory cytokines mRNAs (TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6 and IL-17) in women with gestational hypertension were compared to the control group (healthy pregnant women)., Results: No significant changes in microRNAs expression level were found between compared groups. TNF-α was significantly upregulated in the GH group compared to controls. Expression levels of other investigated cytokines did not differ between examined groups. ROC curve analysis indicated that TNF-α does not show sufficient ability to discriminate between CG and GH patients. TNF-α was significantly positively correlated with IL-1β and IL-17 and negatively correlated with miR-181a., Conclusions: Our results point to the involvement of proinflamatory cytokines in gestational hypertension. Although increased expression of TNF-α was found in the GH group, this cytokine did not show sufficient ability to discriminate between GH and healthy pregnancies., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2024 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Altered microRNAs (miRNAs 1 ) and cytokines expression levels are associated with several pregnancy-induced complications. We evaluated the profile of circulating miRNAs (miR-17, miR-29a and miR-181a) and proinflammatory cytokines (TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6 and IL-17) in women with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM 2 ), as well as their potential use as GDM biomarkers. The case-control study included 65 pregnant women divided into 2 groups - GDM and control. Expression levels of miRNAs in plasma samples and cytokines mRNA isolated from peripheral blood buffy coat were analyzed by quantitative real-time PCR (qPCR 3 ). Significant miR-29a downregulation was found in GDM compared to the control group, and was even more significant after adjustments for covariates. miR-17 and miR-181a expression levels did not differ between the examined groups. Expression levels of IL-1β were significantly higher in GDM group compared to controls, while TNF-α, IL-6 and IL-17 did not show significant changes in expression between the two groups. As jugded from the ROC curve analysis, miR-29a and IL-1β had a significant capacity to discriminate between CG and GDM. Additionally, a positive correlation was established between IL-1β and TNF-α in the GDM group. GDM appeared to be associated with altered levels of miR-29a and IL-1β making them markers of this condition., Competing Interests: Declaration of Competing Interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this article., (Copyright © 2024 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Introduction: Small supernumerary marker chromosomes (sSMCs) are infrequent findings in prenatal diagnostics, however they pose a great challenge for prenatal genetic counseling. Methods: We report prenatal 12 sSMC cases detected in a single center during 10 years period, their molecular characterization by fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) or chromosomal microarray (CMA). Those cases were found among 9620 prenatal diagnostic analyzes by GTG-banding technique. In selected cases, additional UPD testing was also done. Results: Incidence of sSMCs in our study was 0.12%. sSMC characterization was done by FISH in 9 cases, in the remainder of three CMA was employed. The most common sSMC shape was centric minute, followed by inverted duplication and one case with ring conformation. sSMCs originating from acrocentric chromosomes (chromosomes 14, 21 and 22), sex chromosomes (X, Y) and non-acrocentric autosomal chromosomes (chromosome 4 and 18) were confirmed in 3 cases each; no result could be obtained in 3 further cases. Discussion: No anomalies were detected by prenatal ultrasound in any of the cases. In 58% of the cases, outcome was reported as normal at birth, while anomalies at birth were described in one case. Only two patients opted for pregnancy termination. Preterm labor occurred in case of twin pregnancy resulting in stillbirth and early neonatal death of twins. Overall, our study highlights the importance of a sSMC characterization by molecular cytogenomic methods in order to make appropriate genotype-phenotype correlations and ensure adequate genetic counseling., Competing Interests: The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest., (Copyright © 2024 Joksic, Toljic, Milacic, Stankovic, Karadzov Orlic and Mikovic.)

Background: Glioblastoma multiforme (GMB) is the most malignant of all brain tumors with poor prognosis. Anticancer potential of xanthones, bioactive compounds found in Gentiana dinarica, is well-documented. Transformation of G. dinarica roots with Agrobacterium rhizogenes provides higher xanthones accumulation, which enables better exploitation of these anticancer compounds., Hypothesis/purpose: The aim of this study was to investigate antiglioma effect of three different G. dinarica extracts: E1-derived from untransformed roots, E2-derived from roots transformed using A. rhizogenes strain A4M70GUS, and E3-derived from roots transformed using A. rhizogenes strain 15834/PI. Further, mechanisms involved in anticancer potential of the most potent extract were examined in detail, and its active component was determined., Methods: The cell viability was assessed using MTT and crystal violet test. Cell cycle analysis, the expression of differentiation markers, the levels of autophagy, and oxidative stress were analyzed by flow cytometry. Autophagy and related signaling pathways were assessed by immunoblotting., Results: E3, in contrast to E1 and E2, strongly reduced growth of U251 human glioblastoma cells, triggered cell cycle arrest in G 2 /M phase, changed cellular morphology, and increased expression of markers of differentiated astrocytes (glial fibrillary acidic protein) and neurons (β-tubulin). E3 stimulated autophagy, as demonstrated by enhanced intracellular acidification, increased microtubule-associated light chain 3B (LC3-I) conversion to autophagosome associated LC3-II, and decreased level of selective autophagy target p62. Induction of autophagy was associated with Akt-dependent inhibition of main autophagy suppressor mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR). Both genetic and pharmacological inhibition of autophagy suppressed the expression of differentiation markers, but had no effect on cell cycle arrest in E3-treated cells. E3 stimulated oxidative stress, and antioxidants vitamin E and N-acetyl cysteine inhibited autophagy and differentiation of E3-treated U251 cells. The most prevalent compound of E3, xanthone aglycone norswertianin, also arrested glioblastoma cell proliferation in G 2 /M phase and induced glioblastoma cell differentiation through induction of autophagy and oxidative stress., Conclusion: These results indicate that E3 and its main active component norswertianin may serve as a potential candidate for differentiation therapy of glioblastoma., (Copyright © 2018 Elsevier GmbH. All rights reserved.)

We investigated whether gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) and gestational arterial hypertension (GH) are associated with increased oxidative stress and DNA damage. Study included 3 groups of pregnant women (GDM, GH and control). DNA damage biomarkers (micronuclei MNi, nucleoplasmic bridges NPBs and nuclear buds NBUDs) were assessed by cytokinesis-block micronucleus cytome assay. Oxidative stress levels were evaluated by analyzing malondialdehyde equivalents (TBARS) and 8-hydroxy-2'-deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG). Genotoxic effect of methyldopa, drug used to treat GH, was evaluated in in vitro experiment. TBARS levels, MNi, NPBs and NBUDs frequencies were significantly increased in both GDM and GH group. Concentrations of 8-OHdG were significantly higher in GDM than in other groups. Since methyldopa did not affect MNi, NPBs and NBUDs frequencies, nor TBARS and 8-OHdG levels, we concluded that methyldopa has no genotoxic effect. Thus, even when hyperglycemia or hypertension are present only during pregnancy they induce oxidative stress, DNA damage and chromosomal aberrations., (Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)