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Spinal osteoarthritis, a degenerative condition of the spine, significantly impairs quality of life, causing pain, stiffness, and limited mobility. Treatment primarily aims to improve functionality and quality of life. This study investigated the effects of lower back surgery (e.g., spinal decompression with vertebra stabilization) on upper-limb maximum strength, lower limb functionality, and quality of life in osteoarthritis patients. A total of 16 patients (♀ = 10 and ♂ = 6) patients from the orthopedic clinic who were diagnosed with osteoarthritis based on MRI and clinical symptoms underwent the surgery. Their handgrip strength, lower limb functionality (6 min walk test), and quality of life (Flanagan quality of life scale) were assessed before and after the surgery. A repeated measures ANOVA was conducted to assess differences in these metrics pre- and post-surgery across the entire patient cohort, as well as within gender-specific subgroups. A large positive effect was seen in the 6 min walk (p = 0.02, d = −0.83) test but not in the handgrip test or quality of life. However, female patients showed a trend towards better quality of life. The results of this study provide evidence for the effectiveness of surgery in the treatment of spinal osteoarthritis and underscore the need for personalized treatment approaches in the treatment of spinal osteoarthritis.

Bryophytes are rich sources of diverse secondary metabolites with a wide range of biological activities, including anti-inflammatory, antitumor and antimicrobial effects. The aim of this study was to investigate the chemical composition of extracts from two different genotypes (Serbian and Hungarian) of the axenic moss Atrichum undulatum and evaluate the immunomodulatory potential of the prepared extracts in vitro. Both genotypes of moss samples were cultivated in vitro and subsequently extracted in a Soxhlet apparatus with methanol or ethyl acetate. The highest concentration of total phenolic compounds was found in the methanolic extract of the Serbian genotype (54.25 mg GAE/g extract), while the ethyl acetate extract of the Hungarian genotype showed the highest concentration of phenolic acids (163.20 mg CAE/extract), flavonoids (35.57 mg QE/extract), and flavonols (2.25 mg QE/extract). The extracts showed anti-neuroinflammatory properties by reducing the production of reactive oxygen species, nitric oxide, and tumor necrosis factor alpha by lipopolysaccharide-stimulated microglial cells. Moreover, they mitigated the cytotoxic effects of the pro-inflammatory mediators produced by activated microglia on neurons. The data obtained suggest that extracts from A. undulatum moss have promising anti-neuroinflammatory and neuroprotective properties, making them interesting candidates for further research to combat neuroinflammation.

In this study, a series of synthesized 3-(4-substituted benzyl)-5-isopropyl-5-phenylhydantoin derivatives as a potential antiproliferative and antimigratory agents were investigated. The possible antitumor mechanisms of investigated hydantoin derivatives were examined on human breast cancer cell line MDA-MB-231. The cells were treated with different concentrations of compounds (from 0.01 µM to 100 µM) during 24 h and 72 h. The proliferation index, nitric oxide production, apoptosis rate, and migration capacity were measured. The cell invasion potential was examined by measuring the level of MMP-9 and COX-2 gene expression. All tested compounds expressed antiproliferative activity and induced dose- and time-dependent increase in the level of nitrites. The investigated molecules significantly decreased cell survival rate, migration capacity and the expression levels of genes included in the process of tumor invasion. Obtained data suggest that the tested hydantoin derivatives express considerable antitumor activity by reducing cell division rate, elevating apoptosis level, and inhibiting the motility and invasiveness of breast cancer cells. The results obtained in this study indicate that investigated compounds express potential as a novel chemotherapeutic agents against breast cancer growth and progression. Keywords: Hydantoin derivatives, Breast cancer cell line MDA-MB-231, Proliferation, Apoptosis, Cell motility, Nitric oxide

Autoimmune diseases, often triggered by infection, affect ~5% of the worldwide population. Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA)-a painful condition characterized by the chronic inflammation of joints-comprises up to 20% of known autoimmune pathologies, with the tendency of increasing prevalence. Molecular mimicry is recognized as the leading mechanism underlying infection-mediated autoimmunity, which assumes sequence similarity between microbial and self-peptides driving the activation of autoreactive lymphocytes. T lymphocytes are leading immune cells in the RA-development. Therefore, deeper understanding of the capacity of microorganisms (both pathogens and commensals) to trigger autoreactive T cells is needed, calling for more systematic approaches. In the present study, we address this problem through a comprehensive immunoinformatics analysis of experimentally determined RA-related T cell epitopes against the proteomes of Bacteria, Fungi, and Viruses, to identify the scope of organisms providing homologous antigenic peptide determinants. By this, initial homology screening was complemented with de novo T cell epitope prediction and another round of homology search, to enable: i) the confirmation of homologous microbial peptides as T cell epitopes based on the predicted binding affinity to RA-related HLA polymorphisms; ii) sequence similarity inference for top de novo T cell epitope predictions to the RA-related autoantigens to reveal the robustness of RA-triggering capacity for identified (micro/myco)organisms. Our study reveals a much larger repertoire of candidate RA-triggering organisms, than previously recognized, providing insights into the underestimated role of Fungi in autoimmunity and the possibility of a more direct involvement of bacterial commensals in RA-pathology. Finally, our study pinpoints Endoplasmic reticulum chaperone BiP as the most potent (most likely mimicked) RA-related autoantigen, opening an avenue for identifying the most potent autoantigens in a variety of different autoimmune pathologies, with possible implications in the design of next-generation therapeutics aiming to induce self-tolerance by affecting highly reactive autoantigens.

The present study aimed to investigate the neuroprotective effects of the vitamin B complex (B1, B2, B3, B5, B6, and B12—VBC), by studying the changes in the femoral nerve, quadriceps muscle, popliteal lymph nodes and gut microbiota in the rat model of multiple sclerosis, experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE). VBC treatment attenuated clinical signs of EAE during the disease, and reduced the duration of EAE thereby contributing to a faster recovery. In VBC-treated EAE rats, a significant decrease in nerve and muscle nuclear density was revealed during the onset period of the disease, while a marked increase was detected at the end of the disease, compared with untreated EAE rats. In the lymph nodes of VBC-treated EAE rats, a fewer number of lymphoid follicles in the cortical area and smaller epithelioid granulomas were detected. The changes in microbiota composition were examined using 16S rRNA gene sequencing and bioinformatics analysis, which revealed the potential of VBC treatment in establishing and/or maintaining gut microbiota homeostasis. Finally, the present study demonstrated that VBC treatment ameliorated the cellular changes in the affected peripheral nerve, muscles innervated by this nerve, and the gut microbiota dysbiosis which occurred during the EAE.

During the epizootic of highly pathogenic avian influenza subtype H5N8 in Serbia in the winter of 2016-2017, the highest percent of mortality due to this infection was recorded in mute swans (Cygnus olor). Besides mute swans, avian influenza virus subtype H5N8 was also diagnosed in a small number of hens in rural households. Pancreatic tissues from avian influenza H5N8 positive mute swans and hens that died during this outbreak were collected to determine the character of morphological lesions and the distribution of the viral antigen in this organ. Macroscopic examination of the pancreas of mute swans revealed hemorrhages as well as necrosis, while there were no macroscopic visible lesions in the pancreas of infected hens. Despite the different macroscopic finding, microscopic examination of the pancreas of both infected bird species revealed lesions in the form of acute pancreatitis and multifocal acinar necrosis. The viral antigen was abundantly expressed in the cytoplasm and nucleus of necrotic cells, as well as in macrophages in both examined bird species. Immunohistochemical expression of the viral antigen in the pancreas was strongly consistent with histological lesions. According to the above described findings, it could be concluded that highly pathogenic avian influenza virus H5N8 has a high affinity to pancreatic tissue in both mute swans and hens and the distribution and the character of the lesions in the pancreas are similar in both bird species.

The most important morphological characteristic of infections caused by M. avium subsp. hominissuis (MAH) is granuloma formation. The growth of mycobacteria is in accordance with anti-bacterial effector mechanisms of the host within granuloma. The most important cytokines for „orchestrating“the host defense are interferon γ (INF-γ), tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α) and transforming growth factor β1 (TGF-β1). Myofibroblasts that make up a peripheral layer of granuloma largely express receptors for TGF-β1. This cytokine is believed to affect the induction of myofibroblast proliferation. The aim of this paper is to point out the importance of myofibroblasts in the formation and sustainability of granuloma during natural infection of pigs with M. avium subsp. hominissuis. Examinations have been performed on the samples of Lnn. jejunales, Lnn. ileocolici and Lnn. colici of 100 pigs with a positive tuberculin skin test. The molecular method confirmed the presence of a genome M. avium subsp. hominissuis. The microscopic examination of lymph node samples stained by the routine hematoxyilin-eosin (HE) method, showed the presence of granulomatous lymphadenitis. The method of double immunohistochemical staining revealed that myofibroblasts which express TGF-β1 receptor type I (TGF-β1RI) and α smooth muscle actin (α SMA) have an important role in the morphogenesis of granulomatous lymphadenitis in pigs infected with MAH.

People are using plants with health-boosting properties, such as oregano species, in their daily diet. Nowadays, these plants, characterized as potential functional foods, are being extensively scientifically analyzed. Bearing that in mind, as well as the fact that neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s are affecting millions of people worldwide, this study was defined to assess the antineurodegenerative, antineuroinflammatory, and neuroprotective potential of Origanum majorana (marjoram) and O. vulgare (oregano) from Serbia. The plant material was obtained from the Institute for Medicinal Plant Research “Dr. Josif Pančić”, Serbia, and the ethanolic extracts were prepared using classic maceration protocol. The acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and tyrosinase (TYR) inhibition protocols were used to examine antineurodegenerative activity. Microglial (BV2) cells stimulated with LPS were used to evaluate antineuroinflammatory activity in MTT, NBT, and Griess assays, while neuronal (SH-SY5Y) cells were used to determine the neuroprotective activity of the extracts in MTT and Griess assays. The results suggest that oregano extracts are slightly better at inhibiting AChE and TYR (68% vs. 61% at 0.1 mg/mL) than marjoram extracts (53% vs. 59% at 0.1 mg/mL), making them more active than the positive controls (galantamine 41% vs. kojic acid 25% at 0.1 mg/mL). Furthermore, these extracts normalized LPS-stimulated BV2 cells’ viability, while also reducing their production of inflammatory mediators, i.e., reactive oxygen species and nitric oxide, to the level of untreated cells. Additionally, supernatants of LPS-stimulated BV2 cells that were previously treated with these extracts normalized the viability of neurons compared to the control neurons (treated with supernatants of LPS-stimulated BV2 that were not previously treated with the extracts). Both extracts exhibited noticeable antineurodegenerative, antineuroinflammatory, and neuroprotective activities which represent powerful sources of phytochemicals with promising neuroprotective activity, which could be further examined for potential dietary supplement manufacturing.

This study was designed to evaluate the genoprotective, antigenotoxic, as well as antitumor potential of methanolic, ethanolic, and aqueous extracts of Melissa officinalis, Mentha × piperita, Ocimum basilicum, Rosmarinus officinalis, Salvia officinalis, and Satureja montana (Lamiaceae), in different model systems. The polyphenols in these extracts were quantified both spectrophotometrically and using HPLC-DAD technique, while DPPH assay was used to assess the antioxidant activity. The genoprotective potential was tested on pUC19 Escherichia coli XL1-blue, and the antigenotoxicity on Salmonella typhimurium TA1535/pSK1002 and human lung fibroblasts, while the antitumor activity was assessed on colorectal cancer cells. Rosmarinic acid, quercetin, rutin, and luteolin-7-O-glucoside were among the identified compounds. Methanolic extracts had the best DPPH-scavenging and SOS-inducing activities, while ethanolic extracts exhibited the highest antigenotoxicity. Additionally, all extracts exhibited genoprotective potential on plasmid DNA. The antitumor effect was mediated by modulation of reactive oxygen species (ROS), nitric oxide (NO) production, and exhibition of genotoxic effects on tumor cells, especially with O. basilicum ethanolic extract. Generally, the investigated extracts were able to provide antioxidant protection for the acellular, prokaryotic, and normal human DNA, while also modulating the production of ROS and NO in tumor cells, leading to genotoxicity toward these cells and their decrease in proliferation.

This article reports on the occurrence and diagnosis of Aujeszky’s disease in a dog. The procedure for isolation and identification of Aujeszky’s disease virus was described. A dog of unknown breed aged about two years died of Aujeszky’s disease after consuming animal offal (internal organs: lungs, spleen, kidneys) fed by the owner after slaughtering piglets and preparing meat for cooking. As early as 24 hours after consuming the offal, the dog manifested characteristic symptoms of Aujeszky’s disease, which were immediately recognized by the veterinarian. The death occurred within less than 24 hours upon first clinical signs of disease. Aujeszky’s disease virus was isolated and identified from brain and internal organ (lung and spleen) samples of the dog at the Department of Virology of the Scientific Veterinary Institute „Novi Sad“. Isolation and identification of the virus was performed on PK-15 porcine kidney cell line and using nested PCR technique.

he aim of this study was to compare pathological lesions and viral antigen expression in the organs of mute swans (Cygnus olor) naturally infected with highly pathogenic avian influenza virus subtypes H5N1 and H5N8. The examination was conducted on the carcasses of 22 mute swans which died during the avian influenza outbreaks in Serbia in 2006 and 2016-2017. Avian influenza virus subtype H5N8 isolated from mute swans in 2016-2017 was clustered within the 2.3.4.4 clade group B. After necropsy, lung, liver, spleen, pancreas, kidney and brain tissues were sampled for histopathology and immunohistochemical examination. Avian influenza virus nucleoprotein polyclonal antibodies were used for detecting the viral antigen in the examined tissues. The most significant gross lesions were necrosis and haemorrhages in the pancreas. Major histological lesions were multifocal necroses in the pancreas, spleen and liver, non-purulent encephalitis, lung congestion and oedema. Immunohistochemical demonstration of HPAIV nucleoprotein in pancreas and brain was strongly consistent with histological lesions in both infected groups. Our findings showed that pancreas was the most affected organ in all examined mute swans. In addition to increased mortality rate, similar pathological findings were detected in mute swans naturally infected with highly pathogenic avian influenza viruses H5N1 and H5N8.

This is the first study offering insights into the prevalence of giant liver fluke in the population of red deer in the territory of Serbia. Giang liver fluke (Fascioloides magna, Bassi, 1875) is the most important liver parasite among wild ruminants in Europe, especially in the region of floodplain forests along the upper watercourse of Danube river. The main objective of this research was establishing the prevalence of giant liver fluke in the region of floodplain forests of northern Serbia. In the observed regions (hunting grounds), the population prevalence rates ranged from 0 to 80% with an average prevalence in positive herds being 70.6%. The total population of red deer, from the observed hunting grounds, exposed to the giant liver fluke includes 47.9% of red deer population in Serbia, which is 0.7% of the total hunting area of Serbia. Giant liver fluke is present in north-western regions of Serbia in a narrow area of floodplain forests along the watercourse of Danube and Sava rivers next to the border with Croatia. The red deers populating the wetland basin of “Gornje Podunavlje” migrate freely through the tri-border area of Hungary, Croatia and Serbia making a consistent epizootical unit. Moreover, the game migrates freely between Croatia and Serbia in the area of Posavina forests along the river Sava. All data obtained in this research are essential for further activities aimed at preventing the spread of this parasite within red deer population and thus decreasing consequent damages and losses.

Mycoplasma synoviae is known to cause respiratory disorders, synovitis, subclinical infections, air sacculitis and eggshell apex abnormalities in domestic poultry worldwide. Th e aim of this study was to determine M.synoviae seroprevalence in 5 diff erent broiler breeder farms in South Bačka from 2014 to 2017. A total of 1511 samples were tested using commercial indirect enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for detection of antibodies in the blood sera. In this study, the seroprevalence of 25.21% was found and 47 (40.87%) fl ocks out of 115 tested were positive to M.synoviae. Seroprevalence varied between 31.02% in 2015 and 16.78% in 2016. Flock prevalence ranged from 31.03% in 2014 to 55.88% in 2015. Th ese results suggest that M. synoviae infection is present in broiler breeder farms in South Bačka, and that is necessary to conduct further research, systematic monitoring and to improve biosecurity measures on broiler breeder farms.

The aim of this work was to study the effect of two modalities of antiosteoporotic therapy in postmenopausal women at the level of biochemical markers of bone turnover such as bone specific alkaline phosphatase (BALP) and deoxypiridinoline (Dpd) as well as bone mineral density (BMD). The study included 87 patients with postmenopausal osteoporosis (OP). Group A consisted of 48 patients treated with alendronate (AL), whereas group B included 39 patients treated with hormone replacement therapy (HRT). BMD was measured by Lunar DPX 2000 device, on the lumbar spine and the femur, and bone markers (BM) were measured by commercial ELISA assays. There was a statistically significant decrease in the levels of BALP and Dpd after 6 weeks and 8 months of both types of therapy compared to the level of these markers before therapy. There was a statistically significant increase of BMD on both locations after 8 months of both therapies. In addition, there was a statistically significantly higher degree of changes of Dpd values in the group treated with AL than in the group treated with HRT. On the other hand, the changes in the level of BALP were significantly higher in the group treated with HRT. We concluded that the early effect of the two studied antiosteoporotic medications can be monitored by changes in the levels of BM. Dpd as bone resorption marker proved to be a better indicator of the efficiency of applied medications compared to bone formation markers such as BALP.

A series of six novel 2-(5-arylidene-2,4-dioxotetrahydrothiazole-3-yl)propanoic acids and six corresponding methyl esters were synthesized. All compounds were characterized by melting points, elemental analysis, FT-IR, 1H and 13C NMR spectroscopy. Crystal structure of methyl-2-(5-(4-methoxybenzylidene)-2,4--dioxotetrahydrothiazole-3-yl)propionate was confirmed by X-ray analysis. The antiproliferative activity of all synthesized compounds against human colon cancer, breast cancer and myelogenous leukemia cell lines, i.e. HCT-116, MDA-231 and K562, respectively, was evaluated. The results indicate that antiproliferative activity of the synthesized esters is better than the activity of the corresponding acids. All synthesized compounds showed significant antiproliferative effects against HCT116 cells in all tested concentrations (0.01–100 μM). Moreover, in vitro antimicrobial activity against a wide range of tested microorganisms was examined.

Od 2014 godine nekoliko epizootija izazvanih visoko patogenim virusom avijarne infl uence podtipa H5N8, izbilo je u Aziji, Evropi i severnoj Americi. Ovaj tip virusa infl uence uzrokovao je infekcije domaće živine i divljih ptica. Globalnom širenju virusa doprinele su intrakontinentalne i interkontinentalne migracije ptica. Prvi slučaj visoko patogene avijarne influence podtipa H5N8 u Srbiji detektovan je kod labudova (Cygnus olor), lociranih na rukavcu Dunava (područje Koviljskog-Petrovaradinskog rita) u novembru 2016.godine. Tokom ove epizootije, veći broj bolesnih i uginulih labudova pronađen je oko staništa migratornih ptica. Pokazalo se da su labudovi tokom epizootije bili visoko osetljiva i najviše pogođena vrsta ptica virusom infl uence podtipa H5N8. Oboleli labudovi su ispoljavali neurološke simptome, uključujući tortikolis, inkoordinaciju i ataksiju. U ovom radu su predstavljeni rezultati postmortalnog pregleda labudova inficiranih virusom infl uence. Ispitivanje je rađeno na leševima deset uginulih labudova. Najdominantnije patološke promene izazvane virusom influence podtipa H5N8 bile su nekroze pankreasa, petehijalna krvarenja u subepikardijumu i masnom tkivu mezenterijuma. Kod većine uginulih labudova bila je prisutna kongestija pluća.

The two corpses of police dogs, of Labrador retriever breed used for fi nding narcotics, were sent to the Scientifi c Veterinary Institute “Novi Sad”, and examined post-mortem, in order to determine the cause of death. Post-mortem examination revealed the presence of neoplastic changes in the mandibular region, pulmonary parenchyma and axillary region. The samples of neoplastic changes were sent to the Laboratory of Patohistology within the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Belgrade, in order to specify the diagnosis. Histopathology examination revealed an adenocarcinoma in lungs and haemangioendothelioma in axillary region. Is there any role of drug sniffi ng on the occurrence of neoplasia in Labrador retriever breed is still unknown, but it could be an important factor in the development of neoplasia in these dogs.

Ichthyophthiriosis is widespread parasitic disease of fi shes caused by a ciliated protozoan, Ichthyophthirius multifi lis. Th is parasite is capable of affecting most of species of freshwater fi shes, including all cyprinids. The parasites usually can be found on skin and gill in the form of white prominent spots 0.1-1 mm in diameter, which looks as if the fi sh was sprinkled with grits. Within these tissues, infections cause localized lymphocyte infi ltration, focal necrosis and varying degrees of epithelial proliferation. Investigations were carrieed out during a last 10 years, while monitoring the health condition of carp fi sh. Diagnosis of ichthyophthiriosis was performed by clinical and microscopic examination. Disease was present in carps throughout their life, but the most susceptible were young categories. The parasites were present on the skin and gills earlier in 10-day-old fi ngerlings. The outbreaks are most common in spring, aft er overwintering when water temperatures increase and also does the parasite replication rate. High stock density, water quality and poor condition contribute to illness. Since the disease causes signifi cant losses of carp fingerlings it is necessary to perform its adequate controls and therapy. In order to prevent the disease it is need to to rear young fi sh separately from other fish categories, prevent weed fi shes from entering the ponds and employ hygienic and prophylactic measures. All technological measures which can improve the condition of fi sh are most eff ective against ichthyophthiriosis. It is important to add lime into the pond from time to time. Eff ective chemical treatments for I.multifi liis include copper sulfate, potassium permanganate, malachite green, salt and formalin. Malachite green is a teratogen, and prohibited for use, while copper sulfate, potassium permanganate and formalin are also under currently reviewing for the use as parasiticides in food fi sh. So that, non-iodized salt is the only permitted and safe therapeutic for the moment.

Surgical sterilization (ovariohysterectomy) is one of the most common surgical procedures in small veterinary practice because it represents the safest way to control the population of cats. Th e aim of this study is to compare postoperative recovery in three groups of cats (estrous, anestrous and gravid cats) aft er performed ovariohysterectomy using combination of xylasine/ketamine anesthesia and, on the basis of obtained data, determine whether there are some signifi cant diff erences in postoperative recovery in these three groups of cats. Th is study included 45 cats that were divided into three groups. First group consisted of 15 cats in estrous, second group consisted of 15 cats in anestrous and the third group consisted of 15 gravid cats. Ovariohysterectomy was performed in private veterinary clinic. Anesthetic protocol was the same for all cats, that is, combination of xylasine and ketamine at appropriate doses according to body weight. Parameters that were followed through postoperative course were appetite, body temperature, appearance of the wound and activity. Data was collected on the first and third day aft er surgery. Analysis of the collected data shows relatively uniform results among groups of cats considering all followed parameters. Results in this study did not show any signifi cant diff erences in response to xylasine/ketamine anesthesia among cats of diff erent reproductive status through monitoring of postoperative course.

Lernaea cyprinacea in common carp and other warm water fi shes is one of the major problems of aquaculture industry in Serbia. Infestations with Lernaea are most prevalent in the summer months and occur more commonly in stagnant or slow-moving water bodies. Th e optimal temperature range for Lernaea development is 26–28°C. In the present study infection rate of L. cyprinacea in two diff erent categories of fi sh pond cultured common carp was done. Pathological eff ects and control of the disease of infected fi sh were also followed. Fish sampling was done during the summer months of 2014, in 3 common carp fi sh ponds. One hundred twenty fi sh samples were collected from all carp ponds (n=120). Aft er fi sh sampling collected Lernaea were transferred to the laboratory for parasite study. Prevalence of the infection was calculated for two age populations of carps. According to the obtained results, the parasite prevalence were signifi cantly higher in carp fi ngerlings than in older carps (P

The article discusses a study conducted in the Vojvodina province, Serbia, to evaluate the immune status of young people regarding human papillomavirus (HPV) infections, published in the Journal "Central European Journal of Public Health". The study found low levels of naturally induced HPV-specific antibodies among the target population and highlights the importance of HPV vaccination as a public health priority in the country.