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The adults of centipede Scolopendra cingulata from Serbia have been analyzed for Bi, Cs, Ac, K, Pb and Pb activity. The top 5 cm of soil from the same locations (Novi Pazar, Izbice and Pčinja) is also measured-to estimate upper limit of the soil- S. cingulata radionuclide transfer factors (i.e., S. cingulata/soil concentration ratios), as well as the total dose rate-external and internal exposure. Cesium-137 activity was found to be below (or equal to) minimum detectable activity in all 16 specimens. The highest measured Bi activity was 0.1 Bq g, while Ac-0.086 Bq g, K-0.12 Bq g, Pb-0.012 Bq g and Pb-0.029 Bq g. Bismut-214 transfer factors are found to range from <0.34 to 6, as Ac-from <0.4 to 3, whilst the total dose rate is found to be less than 18 μGy h. The As, Se, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Mn, Ni, Pb, but also Zn and Fe concentrations-in three individuals, were also determined. All the elements showed concentrations in the Pčinja S. cingulata significantly lower than in S. cingulata from Novi Pazar and Izbice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

It is known that microcystin (MC) is a cyanotoxin that is a potent environmental inhibitor of eucariotic protein serine/threonine phosphatase 1 and 2A, both in vitro and in vivo. Consequently, these cyanobacterial toxins (MC-IARC group 2B carcinogen, MC extracts-group 3) are potent tumor promoters and there is an indication that they may also act as tumor initiators. The ability of microcystin-LR (MC-LR) to act as a tumor initiator is based on fact that it can induce DNA damage either by direct interaction with DNA or by indirect mechanisms through formation of reactive oxygen species (ROS). Both acute and chronic exposures, to either low or high doses of MC-LR, can activate apoptotic pathways. Chronic exposure to low concentrations of MC-LR contributes to increased risk for cancer development. Epidemiological studies, in certain areas of China, have suggested that MC is one of the risk factors for the high incidence of primary liver cancer (PLC). Recently, we have reported a correlation between PLC and cyanobacterial “blooms” in reservoirs used as a source for drinking water supply in central Serbia. It appears that the combination of acute and chronic exposures to both high and low doses of MC can lead to PLC initiation and promotion. Based on this, we propose that the requirement for the co-factors such as aflatoxin B1 and other mycotoxins, HBV, HCV, alcohol, etc. is not needed for initiation and promotion of PLC by MC-LR as was suggested earlier. The possible mechanisms of the genotoxicity of MC and its role as a hepatocarcinogen are outlined in this review. Furthermore, we show that the exposure of hepatocytes to MC can lead either to malignant proliferation or apoptosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: The aim was to estimate the trend of incidence, mortality and mortality-to-incidence ratio (MIR) in Central Serbia in 1999-2018 and its possible association with the human development index (HDI)., Methods: In this study, cancer of unknown primary (CUP) was included as C77-C80 codes. Trend analysis was performed in the Joinpoint Regression Programme version 4.8.0.1. HDI combines life expectancy, educational attainment and gross national income. HDI values for Serbia are extracted from the global bank site., Results: Joinpoint regression analysis of the age-standardised incidence rate of CUP showed a significantly increasing trend with annual percent change (APC) of 8.5% (95% confidence interval [CI] 3.0-14.3%) in males and 7.8% (95%CI 2.7-13.2) in females. The age-standardised mortality rate of CUP showed a significantly decreasing trend with APC of -1.7% (95%CI -2.8 to -0.5%) in males and -1.4% (95%CI -2.7 to -0.1%) in females. MIR showed a significantly decreasing trend with APC of -9.3% (95%CI -14.6 - -3.6%) in males and -7.1% (95%CI -10.5% to -4.2%) in females. The linear regression showed significant inverse association among HDI and the MIR of CUP in males (r 2  = 0.464, p = 0.002) and in females (r 2  = 0.612, p < 0.001)., Conclusions: Decline of MIR was associated with HDI, suggesting that CUP prognosis follows socio-economic status., (© 2021 John Wiley & Sons Ltd.)

Objective: The aim of this study was to examine subjective sensitivity to noise of the citizens of Niš and its impact on their non-auditory health effects., Methods: This study was designed as a cross-sectional questionnaire survey among 908 adult residents of Niš, Serbia, of whom 387 were men (42.6%) and 521 women (57.4%). Streets with day L eq ≥ 55 dB(A) and night L eq ≥ 45 dB(A) were regarded as noisy and those with day L eq ≤ 55 dB(A) and night L eq ≤ 45 dB(A) were regarded as quiet, in accordance with WHO recommendations. Noise sensitivity was measured with the Weinstein's Noise Sensitivity Scale. Logistic regression analysis was used to assess the impact of noise sensitivity on non-auditory health effects., Results: The study showed that the values of the Weinstein's Noise Sensitivity Scale were significantly higher for those surveyed in the noisy zone. Multiple regression analysis revealed a significant impact of noise sensitivity on night-sleep duration (p = 0.04), subjective assessment of sleep quality (p < 0.01) and daily rest disruption (p < 0.001)., Conclusion: Based on the study results, it can be confirmed that noise sensitivity has an important role in causing non-auditory health effects among adults.

Objective: Diabetes mellitus (DM) has been one of the leading chronic diseases worldwide over past decades. The objective of the study was to identify predictors associated with health-related quality of life (HRQOL) in diabetic patients., Methods: A cross-sectional questionnaire-based study was conducted at the General Hospital of the city of Leskovac, between June and November 2015. The Short Form-36 (SF-36) questionnaire, EuroQol-5D (EQ-5D) and EuroQol-VAS (EQ-VAS) questionnaires were used. Univariate and multivariate linear regression analyses were performed., Results: The total number of patients was 285, 112 men (39.3%) and 173 women (60.7%), average age 63.92 ± 1.07 years. The results of multiple linear regression of socio-demographic characteristics in relation to dimensions of the quality of life measured by SF-36 and EQ-VAS showed that age, country (rural) life, low level of education, retirement, and poor economic status are predictors of lower quality of life. Our results showed that employment has a significant association with higher Physical Component Score (PCS), Mental Component Score (MCS) and EQ-VAS score, which can be explained with higher incomes, improved economic status and less possibility for the occurrence of depressive mood. Patients without formal education have lower QOL. Univariate multiple regression analysis of the presence of micro- and macrovascular complications of DM showed that angina pectoris, heart failure, diabetic retinopathy, and diabetic nephropathy are the most important factors affecting the quality of life in our population. After including the multivariate model, all tested complications remained statistically significant., Conclusion: Our results showed that both socioeconomic and chronic complications are relevant factors of HRQOL in type 1 and 2 diabetes mellitus patients. Age, rural lifestyle, retirement, lower level of education and low socioeconomic status, as well as DM complications (angina pectoris, hearth failure, diabetes nephropathy, and diabetes retinopathy) were found to be independent risk factors for the component scores of SF-36 and EQ-VAS score. Taking into consideration the results obtained, health practitioners should be aware not only of the clinical parameters of patients with DM, but also of their educational level and working status., (Copyright© by the National Institute of Public Health, Prague 2018.)

Background: The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of alpha-lipoic acid (LA) supplementation on oxidative stress markers in patients with schizophrenia., Subjects and Methods: Eighteen (18) medicated patients with schizophrenia and 38 healthy controls received daily supplements of LA (500 mg/day) for three months. At baseline, 45th and 90th days of supplementation, venous blood collected for analysis of oxidative stress markers [superoxide anion (O2(•-)), thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances (TBARS) and advanced oxidation protein products (AOPP)] and antioxidative defense markers [superoxide dismutase (SOD), total sulfhydryl groups (-SH) and total antioxidant status (TAS)]., Results: Increased plasma TBARS, TAS, SH groups levels and SOD activity were found in schizophrenic patients compared to control group. LA supplementation significantly reduced TBARS, AOPP and improved TAS levels in healthy subjects, while there were no significant differences in patients group. SH groups increased after 45 days and decreased to baseline levels after 90 days of supplementation in the control group. SOD activity decreased significantly in patients group after 45 days and 90 days of supplementation. After initial rose SOD activity in control group, decreased to baseline levels found after 90 days., Conclusion: LA supplementation decreased lipid peroxidation and oxidative damage of proteins and improved non-enzymatic antioxidant capacity in healthy controls. No significant changes were observed on oxidative damage in patients with schizophrenia.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of food hygiene training of food handlers on sanitary-hygienic conditions in hospital kitchens, based on microbiological analysis of smears taken in hospital kitchens. The study was conducted in the 1995-2009 period at the Clinical Centre Nis, Serbia. The food hygiene training was conducted in February 2005, by an infection control officer. 1,076 smears in the central kitchen and 4,025 smears in distributive kitchens were taken from hands and work clothes, work surfaces, equipment, and kitchen utensils. Microbiological analysis of smears was carried out in an accredited laboratory of the Public Health Institute Nis (Serbia). A significantly lower percentage of smears with isolates of bacteria (p < 0.001) taken from hands and work clothes, work surfaces, equipment and kitchen utensils in the central and distributive kitchens was observed in the period following the food safety education programme (2005-2009). The most commonly isolated bacteria was: Enterobacter spp., Acinetobacter spp., Citrobacter spp., and E. coli. Our results confirmed that food hygiene training improved hygiene and is also an important component for the prevention of nosocomial infection.

The aim of this study is to estimate dietary intake of benzoic acid and its salts through food additives in adult population of South East Serbia. Information on dietary intake among 620 adults (aged 18-65) was collected using a food frequency questionnaire, and 748 food samples were analyzed. The mean estimated intake of benzoic acid -0.32 mg/kg of body weight (bw) per day was below acceptable daily intake (ADI). Dietary exposure to benzoic acid (0.36 mg/kg of bw/day; 7.2% ADI) (consumer only), also did not exceed ADI. The main contributors of benzoic acid to dietary intake were non alcoholic beverages (43.1%), ketchup and tomato products (36.1%), and domestic pickled vegetables (19.4%). The results of this study indicate that dietary exposure to benzoic acid and its salts through food preservatives does not represent a public health risk for the adult population of South East Serbia.

Molecular typing and resistotyping coupled with gyrA single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) of 60 Salmonella Enteritidis (SE) isolates originated from poultry, food, and humans in Serbia is described. Molecular fingerprinting was performed by randomly amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) using four primers, and the diversity index (D) was 0.688. In combination with resistotyping and gyrA SNP, D increased to 0.828. A total of 23 genetic groups were obtained. When four RAPD primers were combined, epidemic isolates from a fast-food restaurant outbreak were clustered in a distinctive genetic group. Among 60 SE strains, three had multiple resistances to three or more antibiotics. Nine strains were resistant to nalidixic acid (NAL; a non-fluorinated quinolone). The mutations in quinolone resistance-determining region (QRDR) found in NAL-resistant strains were attributed to Asp(87) → Asn in six strains, Asp(87) → Gly in one strain, and Ser(83) → Phe in one strain. One NAL-resistant strain had no mutations in QRDR, suggesting another mechanism of resistance.