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This article belongs to the Special Issue Develop Antimicrobial Polymer Textiles for Medical Applications This study aimed to obtain functional viscose textiles based on chitosan coatings with improved antibacterial properties and washing durability. For that reason, before functionalization with chitosan/zinc nanoparticles (NCH+Zn), the viscose fabric was modified by nonthermal gas plasma of dielectric barrier discharge (DBD) to introduce into its structure functional groups suitable for attachment of NCH+Zn. NCH+Zn were characterized by measurements of hydrodynamic diameter and zeta potential and AFM. DBD-plasma-modified and NCH+Zn-functionalized fabrics were characterized by zeta potential measurements, ATR-FTIR spectroscopy, the calcium acetate method (determination of content of carboxyl and aldehyde groups), SEM, breaking-strength measurements, elemental analysis, and ICP-OES. Their antibacterial activity was determined under dynamic contact conditions. In addition to SEM, the NCH+Zn distributions on viscose fabrics were also indirectly characterized by measuring their absorbent capacities before and after functionalization with NCH+Zn. Washing durability was monitored through changes in the zeta potential, chitosan and zinc content, and antibacterial activity after 1, 3, and 5 washing cycles. The obtained results showed that DBD plasma modification contributed to the simultaneous improvement of NCH+Zn sorption and antibacterial properties of the viscose fabric functionalized with NCH+Zn, and its washing durability, making it suitable for the production of high-value-added medical textiles. This work was supported by the Ministry of Education, Science and Technological Development of the Republic of Serbia (contract number 451-03-68/2022-14/200135 and contract number 451-03-68/2022-14/200287).

Soda pans are protected in the European Union as Natura 2000 areas in the category of “Pannonic saline steppes and marshes”. There are at least six soda pans of reference status in Serbia and only a half have strict legal protection. The number of similar, but disturbed (modified) habitats that could be reconstructed is still unknown. We conducted sampling in five natural and two disturbed soda pans aiming to compare a difference in physical and chemical water properties and benthic diatom communities. In addition, we tried to apply recently developed Diatom Index for Soda Pans (DISP) and Trait-based index (TBI) to test the applicability of taxonomic and trait-based approaches in ecological status assessment of soda pans in the southern part of the Carpathian Basin. In contrast to natural soda pans, lower pH and nutrients levels were recorded in disturbed pans. A total of 86 taxa of benthic diatoms, including 11 new for diatom flora of Serbia, were identified. A lower species richness and Shannon index was recorded in natural soda pans. Nitzschia austriaca, N. supralitorea, Navicula veneta and N. wiesneri were dominant diatoms in soda pans of the reference status. Both diatom indices were in average lower in disturbed pans, and this difference was statistically significant for DISP index. We concluded that two indices, supplemented with indicator values for some local diatom species, can be a promising tool for soda pan conservation in this part of the Carpathian Basin.

The influence of the chemical composition on the biosorption potential of waste jute fabric for Ni2+, Cu2+, and Zn(2+)was investigated. The raw jute fabric was treated with sodium hydroxide or sodium chlorite to selectively remove hemicelluloses and lignin, respectively. All jute fabrics were characterized by determination of their chemical composition as well as functional group content. The effects of solution pH, contact time, and initial metal ion concentration on the biosorption from monometallic and polymetallic solution by jute fabrics were investigated. The maximum biosorption capacity for all heavy metal ions was observed at pH 5.5. Concerning the contact time, the raw jute fabric shows more than 72 % of the total uptake capacity of Ni2+, Cu2+, and Zn(2+)within 1 h, while the jute fabrics with lower hemicelluloses and lignin content show between 72-85 % of the total uptake capacity within 3 h. Increased initial metal ion concentration from 10 to 20 mg/lin monometallic solution caused an increase in the total uptake capacity of jute fabrics with lower hemicelluloses and lignin content for 47-69 % (Ni2+), 42-63 % (Cu2+), and 22-37 % (Zn2+). The biosorption capacity of alkali treated jute fabrics was affected by the changes in the total amount of carboxyl and aldehyde groups that accompany the hemicelluloses removal. In the case of the oxidative treatment, the biosorption capacity was affected by the lignin content as well as the amount of introduced carboxyl groups. The best biosorption performance possesses jute fabric with 63.2 % lower lignin content as well as 81.1 % higher amount of carboxyl groups; biosorption capacity toward Ni2+, Cu2+, and Zn(2+)in monometallic solution is about 2.4; 2.2 and 3.5 times higher compared to the raw jute fabric, respectively. All jute fabrics exhibited the same affinity order (which is independent on the initial metal ion concentrations) toward heavy metal ions: Ni2+ gt Cu2+ gt Zn(2+)in the case of competitive biosorption. An increase in the initial metal ion concentration for two times in the polymetallic solution caused about a 35-59 % increase in the total uptake capacity of Ni2+, while the total uptake capacities of Cu(2+)and Zn(2+)increased for 19-38 % and 18-65 %, respectively.

“You wanted to interview yourself. Why?There are many reasons. First of all, I am an experienced researcher and I understand well the power of the one who shapes questions and gives an implicit interpretative framework. Second, the envisaged scope for my life story is simply not sufficient, and my life cannot be easily formatted using general questions. I want to tell my life story when, how, and how much I want and how much I believe it to be good and necessary. My life has had a matrix too complex to be reduced or placed into a simple and trivial, most often chronological, course of events. Instead of having someone who does not know me ask me questions that are some kind of general points, I want to talk about myself primarily in order to convey a message. So, this is not about a simple process of reconstructing events and facts, but about my intention to say what I believe to be important and what makes up just one of many “red threads” in my life. The risk of inadequate questions is very big and I keep reassuring myself of this time and again.

Badlands are areas with limited vegetation, reduced or no human activity, and a great variety of geomorphic processes present. Besides lithology, the climate has a crucial role in the initiation and development of badlands. Controlled conditions during laboratory experiments provide detailed insight into processes that occur in the nature. Many studies have shown that the type and content of clay minerals, specifically presence of smectite is important for predicting the behavior of sediments subjected to different weathering treatments like freezing, thawing, wetting, and drying.This study is aimed at comparing changes in physico-chemical properties of sediments caused by simulations of climatic conditions. For these experiments, three unweathered samples with different mineralogical content were taken from the Vallcebre and Bagà badlands in Spain. Besides quartz and calcite as dominant minerals, one sample contained smectite and gypsum, the second smectite, and the third neither smectite nor gypsum. The experiment was set up in a way that each sample had three sub-samples from which one was subjected to rain, the second to snow, and the third was the control sample. The experiment had two parts. In the first part, after simulation of rain (~140 ml) or snow (~150 g), samples together with a control sample were placed in a climate chamber at a temperature of -3 °C. After initial 15 cycles, in the second part of the experiment, all samples regardless of the previous treatment were subjected to rain (~140 ml), after which together with the control sample were placed in a climate chamber at a temperature of 50 °C. These treatments were repeated 8 times. Throughout the experiment, after each cycle, samples were photographed for monitoring surface changes, while the leached solution was collected and its volume, pH, electrical conductivity (EC), and ion concentrations were measured. Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscopy (FESEM) results showed that the changes in microstructure occurred after weathering experiments, while Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET) surface area analysis confirmed that the sample with only smectite had the highest specific surface. Also, it was corroborated that temperature without simulation of rain or snow does not affect the decomposition since the control samples remained intact during the whole experiment. Results have shown that snow is a more destructive agent, especially for the sample with smectite. Due to the content of gypsum, which increases the weathering resistance of the material, the sample with smectite and gypsum has shown a lower degree of degradation than the sample with only smectite, while sample without smectite and gypsum has shown the lowest degradation of the structure. Furthermore, the sample with smectite and gypsum has shown significantly different values of leachate pH, and EC. The concentration of sulphate was the highest in the sample with smectite and gypsum, which is a consequence of the dissolution of gypsum. The obtained results confirm that the response of sediment to different climatic factors depends on their mineral and physico-chemical properties and provide a basis for further research of prediction land degradation in conditions of climate change.

The formation of badlands is commonly linked to the presence of dispersive deposits. Meanwhile, the sediments having more resistance to disintegration might also cause badlands formation given the time and adequate climate conditions. Although the notable influences of climate conditions have been highlighted on badlands morphologies so far, only a few attempts illustrated how materials weather in response to the diverse climate conditions. Supportingly, this research aims to learn about the primary weathering processes in various types of badland landforms (sharp-edged, rounded-edged, tower type, and calanchi mammellonari) in the Mediterranean arid, semi-arid, and humid climate of Turkey. For that purpose, we have used 11 badlands bedrock samples and determined climate conditions to simulate realistic weathering conditions in the laboratory condition. Bedrock samples were marl from the arid region, poorly sorted and packed sandstones from the Mediterranean region, highly consolidated sandstones from the humid region, pyroclastic sediments from the Cappadocia – semi-arid region. We have conducted four cycles representing each season during one water year to simulate precipitation and temperature variations. In this regard, we compiled the total amount and type of precipitation and insolation data for each season. Prior to the experiment, we have determined grain size, mineralogical composition, physico-chemical properties, the content of major elements of badland samples that enable us to discuss their morphological variety.Regarding the temperature conditions, we simulated day spring/autumn (~20°C), mild winter (4-5°C), winter (-2°C), summer (~25 – 35°C) conditions considering fluctuation of temperature along the different seasons. After precipitation in each cycle, represented by either rain or snow, we collected leachates to quantify the variations between the seasons by measuring volume, pH, electrical conductivity (EC), concentrations of anion, and cations.The laboratory experiments testing weathering processes under the different climate conditions and various types of badland materials show that the apparent differences in crust and desiccation crack emerged between the seasons. Although the obtained highest sediment flux in Mediterranean badlands having the deep crack systems, especially in autumn after high drying in summer, the ponds were formed relatively temporarily (a few hours) to long-lived (a few days) by filling the cracks with the sediments during spring seasons due to the scarcity in drying during the winter. The badland materials under arid climate conditions are highly likely to disintegrate because of their critical susceptibility to dispersivity; after one year of simulation (4th cycle), they became highly unstable due to their higher content of clay swelling capacity. However, the humid badland materials subjected to harsh climate conditions -snow and freezing conditions appeared to be the most durable samples reason for which is the strong cementation of coarse-grain sandstone. Seasonal trends in sample leachates' properties were also obtained. We can conclude that drying and wetting are more effective than the cooling and thawing processes in weathering of the bedrock from sampled badlands.This study has been produced benefiting from the 2232 International Fellowship for Outstanding Researchers Program of the Scientific and Technological Research Council of Turkey (TUBITAK) through grant 118C329.

The aim of the current research was to determine the content of (potentially) toxic elements and insecticide residues in monofloral sunflower bee-collected pollen. For micro- and trace elements determination Inductively Coupled Plasma Optical Emission (ICP-OES) analytical method was used while insecticide residue content was monitored by applying Liquid Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) technique. In total, seventeen micro/trace elements were quantified. None of the twenty four examined insecticides were detected above the limit of detection (LOD) which makes studied sunflower bee-collected pollen eco-friendly both to bees and humans. Based on presence of several toxic as well as potentially toxic elements calculations for estimated weekly intakes (EWI), and oral intakes (OI) were made and used for health risk assessment based on the computation of two different health risk quotients (HQ)- acute (HQA) and long-term (HQL). The obtained results proved that all HQ values for adults were negligible or low except in case of HQL value for arsenic (0.32) which can be characterized as medium. However, in case of children much more precaution is needed due to significant HQL risk for arsenic (1.511). The attained data can help to make additional linkage between bee-collected pollen as food ingredients and potential benefits/risks for human health.

In the present study, a new species, Nitzschia haloserbica Vidaković, Ector, C.E.Wetzel & Krizmanić, sp. nov., is described from alkaline saline ponds and channels from Vojvodina Province (Serbia). In 2019 the new species was found in four saline ponds: Bela Bara, Čoka Kopovo, Velika Rusanda and Slatina. The same species was recorded four years ago in saline lakes in Hungary, but the authors listed it as Nitzschia sp. 2. The sigmoid valve outline of the new Nitzschia Hassall species is similar to N. austriaca Hust. but differs in striae density and fibulae distribution. In N. haloserbica sp. nov. the transapical striae are so dense that they are not visible in light microscopy. Both species have fibulae that are quite regularly distributed along the raphe canal, but in N. austriaca the central two fibulae are more widely spaced, reflecting the presence of central raphe endings, which are absent in N. haloserbica sp. nov. At the type locality (Bela Bara) both species were found with relative abundances of 94.93 % for N. haloserbica sp. nov. and 1.21 % for N. austriaca (of the 400 valves counting per slide). The valve morphology, ultrastructure and autecology of the new species are discussed and compared with morphologically similar taxa. Une espèce nouvelle de Nitzschia Hassall (Bacillariaceae, Bacillariophyta) provenant d’étangs salins en Serbie. Dans la présente étude, une espèce nouvelle, Nitzschia haloserbica Vidaković, Ector, C.E.Wetzel & Krizmanić, sp. nov., est décrite provenant d’étangs et de canaux salins alcalins de la province de Vojvodina (Serbie). En 2019, l’espèce nouvelle a été trouvée dans quatre étangs salins : Bela Bara, Čoka Kopovo, Velika Rusanda et Slatina. La même espèce a été trouvée, il y a quatre ans, dans des lacs salins en Hongrie, mais les auteurs l’ont répertoriée comme Nitzschia sp. 2. Le contour de la valve sigmoïde de la nouvelle espèce de Nitzschia Hassall est similaire à celui de N. austriaca Hust. mais elle diffère par la densité des stries et la distribution des fibules. Chez N. haloserbica sp. nov., les stries transapicales sont si denses qu’elles ne sont pas visibles en microscopie optique. Les deux espèces ont des fibules assez régulièrement réparties le long du canal du raphé, mais chez N. austriaca les fibules centrales sont plus espacées, reflétant la présence de terminaisons centrales du raphé, qui sont absentes chez N. haloserbica sp. nov. Dans la localité type (Bela Bara), nous avons trouvé les deux espèces avec des abondances relatives de 94,93% pour N. haloserbica sp. nov. et de 1,21% pour N. austriaca (estimation à partir des 400 valves comptées par lame). La morphologie de la valve, l’ultrastructure et l’autécologie de la nouvelle espèce sont discutées et comparées à des taxons morphologiquement apparentés.

Honokiol is neolignan present in the magnolia bark. It displays versatile pharmacological properties—neuroprotective and anxiolytic effect, anti-cancer activity and antimicrobial effect being the most important. This paper aims to develop a voltammetric non-enzymatic biosensor for honokiol detection, quantification and monitoring in drugs and cosmetic products. The materials used in this study were synthesized and characterized by HR-XRPD, SEM, ATR-FTIR and electrochemical methods. Bi2O3, being a p-type semiconductor, was used as an electrode material. Both its semiconductivity and electrocatalytic properties result from lattice structure defects, which differ on the surface and in the bulk of the bismuth oxide crystal, and therefore are crystal size dependent. The influence of the particle size of Bi2O3 on its electrocatalytic properties was studied, and it was confirmed that Bi2O3 nanoparticles have better overall conductive/resistive and catalytic characteristics than microribbons and that the optimal electrode modification for sensing application was obtained by Bi2O3@SWCNT composite material preparation. Here, we established a sensitive electrochemical sensing platform for honokiol detection based on CP electrode modified with bismuth oxide nanoparticles and SWCNT with the 0.17 μM limit of detection, and linear operating range from 0.1 to 50 μM. The effect of potential interferents on honokiol detection was explored. Obtained results in the interference tests and the real sample analysis suggest that the developed approach is selective, accurate and reproducible. Due to the low detection limit and a wide working range, the proposed sensing platform opens great opportunities for further construction of sensors for honokiol detection and monitoring in the pharmaceutical industry and medicinal chemistry.

1 67 58 63 M20 М24 Cilj ovog rada bio je ispitivanje kvaliteta realnih uzoraka vode za piće, prikupljenih sa teritorije grada Požege i okolnih seoskih naselja. Za određivanje koncentracije makro i mikroelemenata u uzorcima vode korišćena je analitička tehnika induktivno kuplovana plazma sa optičkom emisionom spektrometrijom, ICP-OES. Dobijeni rezultati upoređivani su sa maksimalno dozvoljenim kocentracijama elemenata propisanim nacionalnim Pravilnikom o higijenskoj ispravnosti vode za piće, kao i preporukama Svetske zdravstvene organizacije (WHO) i Američke agencije za zaštitu životne sredine (EPA). Analizirane vode su malomineralizovane (

Liming is a common practice in the treatment of acidic and metal contaminated soils, aiming at pH regulation, enhancing of the nutrient availability and attenuation of trace metals mobility. Replacement of natural limestone with alternative soil alkalizers found among waste materials represents a step towards sustainable resource management and reduced waste storage. In this study, waste seashells (SW) and red mud (RM) were applied in different doses to the soil sampled in the vicinity of mining and smelting complex. The soil was characterized by acidic reaction (pH 4.93), increased Cu concentration (219.2 mg/kg) and a very low level of P-supply (3.61 mg P2O5/100 g). The study aimed to quantify and compare additive-induced effects onto soil physicochemical properties, the status of macronutrients and distribution of trace metals. Targeted effect on soil pH was achieved with SW dose of 0.3% and RM dose of 2%. RM was found to be a source of available P and gave rise to the available P concentrations in the soil. Medium level of P-supply (15.60 mg P2O5/100 g) was achieved with RM dose of 5%, however, the increase in soil salinity and total trace elements concentrations have become significant adverse effects at such dose. The decrease in the ion-exchangeable content of Cu and other trace metals was in correlation with the increase in soil pH after the treatments. Redistribution of metal cations was mainly directed to carbonate/acid soluble and Fe, Mn-oxide bonded fraction after SW addition. Even though trace metals concentration has increased in the soil after application of the RM, they were principally found in the residual fraction. The results emphasize low amounts of contained trace elements and lower doses for achieving targeted effects on pH and metal mobility as the main benefits of SW treatments. On the other hand, moderate and controlled use of RM may represent multiple benefits in terms of simultaneous pH regulation, P-supply, and reduced trace metals mobility. © 2019 Elsevier B.V. This is the peer reviewed version of the following article: Egerić M, Smičiklas I, Dojčinović B, Sikirić B, Jović M, Šljivić-Ivanović M, Čakmak D. Interactions of acidic soil near copper mining and smelting complex and waste-derived alkaline additives. Geoderma. 2019;352:241–50. [http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/J.GEODERMA.2019.06.015] Published version: [https://vinar.vin.bg.ac.rs/handle/123456789/8345]

A series of MgxFe3-xO₄ (x ═ 0-1) nanoparticles was synthesized in order to prepare novel MgxFe3-xO₄/glassy carbon modified electrodes. Effects of magnesium content (x) on the analytical performance of the modified electrodes in the detection of gallic acid were evaluated. It was found that magnesium concentration and crystallite/particle size of the prepared nanoparticles play significant roles in the sensing properties of modified electrodes. The increase of magnesium concentration up to the value of x ═ 0.4 in MgxFe3-xO₄/glassy carbon paste was accompanied by an increase of the corresponding oxidation current of gallic acid. However, further growth of x value caused decline of the obtained oxidation current. An electroanalytical procedure was established, and the analytical performance of the proposed Mg0.4Fe2.6O₄/glassy carbon paste electrode was monitored using previously optimized experimental conditions. A working linear range from 1-39 µM gallic acid was obtained with detection limit of 0.29 µM. According to these results, the developed procedure can be applied for detection of low concentrations of gallic acid with satisfactory selectivity in the presence of some common naturally occurring compounds. Experimental results indicate that the developed procedure could be a novel approach in the detection of antioxidant, overcoming some known disadvantages such as passivation, and could be a promising replacement for sophisticated chromatographic methods.

The synthesis of novel triphenyltin(IV) compounds, Ph3SnLn (n = 1–3), with oxaprozin (3-(4,5-diphenyloxazol-2-yl)propanoic acid), HL1, and the new propanoic acid derivatives 3-(4,5-bis(4-methoxylphenyl)oxazol-2-yl)propanoic acid, HL2, and 3-(2,5-dioxo-4,4-diphenylimidazolidin-1-yl)propanoic acid, HL3, has been performed. The ligands represent commercial drugs or their derivatives and the tin complexes have been characterized by standard analytical methods. The in vitro antiproliferative activity of both ligands and organotin(IV) compounds has been evaluated on the following tumour cell lines: human prostate cancer (PC-3), human colorectal adenocarcinoma (HT-29), breast cancer (MCF-7), and hepatocellular cancer (HepG2), as well as on normal mouse embryonic fibroblast cells (NIH3T3) with the aid of MTT (3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-12 diphenyltetrazolium bromide) and CV (crystal violet) assays. Contrary to the inactive ligand precursors, all organotin(IV) carboxylates showed very good activity with IC50 values ranging from 0.100 to 0.758 µM. According to the CV assay (IC50 = 0.218 ± 0.025 µM), complex Ph3SnL1 demonstrated the highest cytotoxicity against the caspase 3 deficient MCF-7 cell line. Inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) analysis indicated a two-fold lower concentration of tin in MCF-7 cells in comparison to platinum. To investigate the mechanism of action of the compound Ph3SnL1 on MCF-7 cells, morphological, autophagy and cell cycle analysis, as well as the activation of caspase and ROS/RNS and NO production, has been performed. Results suggest that Ph3SnL1 induces caspase-independent apoptosis in MCF-7 cells.

The first part of this paper introduces the concept of digital humanities and the phases that some researchers note in the development of the humanities in new, digital media, as well as the role of digital humanities in the promotion of the marginalised literatures, particularly that written by women. The core example is the digital database Knjiženstvo, certain segments of which contain not only the data on the texts, but the digitised texts as well. In this paper, we pose the question on how databases can be involved in the creation of new knowledge at all educational levels. To this effect, we necessarily expand certain segments of the database to include those publications on which they already contain information. In relation to this, it has been observed that one of the greatest problems is the part of the database dealing with the periodicals – both women and feminist – and therefore, the second part of the paper is dedicated to this topic. We first analyze the terms women and feminist magazines, and afterwards, we consider the ways in which the materials from these periodicals could be gathered, classified and connected.

The textile industry is one of the major pollutants of waterbodies with effluents high in biochemical and chemical oxygen demand values, high values of total dissolved solids, total suspended solids, and low dissolved oxygen values along with strong color. The existence of a successful method for its decontamination would be beneficial. In this work, we synthesized sponge-like europium oxide (Eu2O3) using a template-directed route from carbon hollow spheres, obtained from glucose as a carbon source. The material synthesis method was done in an aqueous environment, without using any organic solvents. Electrochemical properties of the synthesized material were investigated using cyclic voltammetry and electrical impedance spectroscopy, while morphological characterization was done using scanning electron microscopy and X-ray powder diffraction analysis. Eu2O3 were successfully immobilized at the surface of a screen-printed carbon electrode (Eu2O3/SPCE) using the drop-casting method. Finally, the prepared electrodes were tested toward the removal of Reactive Blue 52 (RB52) using electrochemical advanced oxidation processes (EAOPs). Important parameters, that is, the supporting electrolyte, its concentration, pH value, and the applied voltage, were optimized for RB52 degradation. The rate of removal was monitored spectrophotometrically and by high-performance liquid chromatography with a diode array detector (HPLC-DAD). It was found that the proposed approach reaches complete decolorization of the RB52 solution after a 60-min treatment, at pH 5.6 of KCl supporting electrolyte at a concentration of 0.05 M. Under optimal parameters, after 3 h of treatment, total organic carbon (TOC) was lowered by ~40%. The obtained results indicate that the proposed method may find potential application in EAOPs, considering electrode stability, durability, and efficiency and simplicity of the method. This is the peer-reviewed version of the article: Stanković, Dalibor M., Andrej J. Kukuruzar, Slađana D. Savić, Miloš Ognjannović, Ivona M. Janković-Častvan, Goran M. Roglić, Bratislav Antić, Dragan D. Manojlović, and Biljana Dojčinović. “Sponge-like Europium Oxide from Hollow Carbon Sphere as a Template for an Anode Material for Reactive Blue 52 Electrochemical Degradation.” Materials Chemistry and Physics 273 (2021): 125154. [https://doi.org/10.1016/j.matchemphys.2021.125154].

The objective of this investigation was to obtain jute fabrics with enhanced sorption properties (by using simple and cost-effective alkali and oxidative modifications) and a long life cycle. The applied alkali modifications lead to hemicellulose removal and decreased the fibers’ crystallinity, both contributing to enhanced fibers’ sorption properties, i.e., water retention power and degree of fibers’ swelling up to 49 % and 70 %, respectively. A connection between cellulose polymorphs’ (cellulose I and cellulose II) contents (determined by XRD), fibers’ surface morphology (verified by FESEM), fabrics’ crimp, and capillarity of jute fabrics modified with 17.5 % NaOH was established. During the oxidative modifications, significant changes in jute fibers’ chemical composition and structure (i.e., lignin removal and more homogeneous middle lamellae) occurred which further resulted in enhanced jute fabrics’ water retention power and capillarity as well as fibers’ swelling up to 80 %, 75 %, and 54 %, compared to the raw jute, respectively. In order to move towards a circular economy and to ensure the recycling and re-use of recycled fabrics, the jute fabrics with enhanced sorption properties were evaluated as biosorbents for anthraquinone dye C. I. Acid Blue 111. The obtained results revealed that the jute fabrics’ maximum biosorption capacities for this dye ranged from 12.94 to 18.97 mg/g, while the equilibrium adsorption data were highly consistent with the Langmuir isotherm model. Moreover, based on the predicted dye pKa values, the fabric zeta potential, content of carboxyl and aldehyde groups as well as hydrogen bond intensity (determined by ATR-FTIR), a possible mechanism of the dye biosorption onto jute fabric waste was proposed. Supplementary material: [https://cherry.chem.bg.ac.rs/handle/123456789/4745]

Porous cobalt-doped alumina catalysts were synthetized using the sol-gel method. The synthesized materials were calcined at 500 °C, 1000 °C and 1100 °C and denoted as CoA-500, CoA-1000 and CoA-1100, respectively. Catalysts were characterized using XRPD, H2-TPR and low temperature N2 physisorption techniques. Applied techniques showed that the annealing temperature affects the structural and textural properties of the catalysts. The synthesized catalysts were investigated in the degradation of tartrazine in the presence of Oxone®. The influence of the mass of catalyst, reaction time, reaction temperature and initial pH were investigated. The temperature increase was beneficial for the dye degradation rate. CoA-500 was proved to be the most efficient among the investigated catalysts. The reaction followed the pseudo-first order kinetics for all investigated temperatures for all three catalysts. All cobalt-doped alumina catalysts were found to be efficient in the Oxone® induced catalytic degradation of tartrazine with CoA-500 showing the best performance.

In this investigation, the possibility of wood waste (hardwoods such as oaks’ and alternatives’ staves from Balkan cooperage) revalorization for simultaneous cadmium removal and wastewater disinfection was examined. All samples were characterized in terms of their crystallinity index and crystallite size, amount of functional groups, and surface chemistry (determined by ATR-FTIR) as well as antibacterial activity. Mulberry is characterized by the lowest crystallinity index which can be ascribed to the highest crystallite size disabling crystallite denser packaging, while myrobalan plum has about 23% lower crystallite size that enables crystallite better packaging, thus resulting in a 42.4% higher crystallinity index compared to the mulberry. All oaks have a significantly higher amount of carboxyl groups compared to the alternatives (0.23-0.28 vs. 0.12-0.19 mmol/g). The adsorption experiments revealed that with increasing the initial cadmium concentration from 15 up to 55 mg/g, samples’ adsorption capacity increases by 89-220%. The equilibrium data fit well with the Langmuir isotherm model implying monolayer coverage of cadmium ions over a homogeneous wood surface. The relationship between the samples’ maximum adsorption capacities (ranged from 5.726 to 12.618 mg/g), their crystallinity index, and crystallite size was established. According to ATR-FTIR spectra, aldehyde, carboxyl, hydroxyl, and phenyl groups present on the wood waste surface are involved in Cd2+ adsorption which proceeds via the interplay of the complexation, cation-π interactions, and ion-exchange mechanisms. Mulberry and myrobalan plum showed about 89% and 80% of the total uptake capacity of cadmium within 60 min, while the equilibrium was attained after 240 min of contact time. Good compliance with pseudo-second kinetic order indicated that cadmium adsorption was mediated by chemical forces. Thermodynamic parameters revealed the spontaneous and exothermic character of cadmium ion adsorption onto mulberry and myrobalan plum. All studied samples provide maximum bacterial reduction (>99%) for E. coli and S. aureus. Wood waste from Balkan cooperage can be successfully used for simultaneous cadmium removal and wastewater disinfection.

CP (cisplatin) and mesoporous silica SBA-15 (Santa Barbara amorphous 15) loaded with CP (→SBA-15|CP) were tested in vitro and in vivo against low metastatic mouse melanoma B16F1 cell line. SBA-15 only, as drug carrier, is found to be not active, while CP and SBA-15|CP revealed high cytotoxicity in lower μM range. The activity of SBA-15|CP was found similar to the activity of CP alone. Both CP and SBA-15|CP induced inhibition of cell proliferation (carboxyfluorescein succinimidyl ester - CFSE assay) along with G2/M arrest (4′,6-diamidino-2-phenylindole - DAPI assay). Apoptosis (Annexin V/ propidium iodide - PI assay), through caspase activation (apostat assay) and nitric oxide (NO) production (diacetate(4-amino-5-methylamino-2′,7′-difluorofluorescein-diacetat) - DAF FM assay), was identified as main mode of cell death. However, slight elevated autophagy (acridine orange - AO assay) was detected in treated B16F1 cells. CP and SBA-15|CP did not affect production of ROS (reactive oxygen species) in B16F1 cells. Both SBA-15|CP and CP induced in B16F1 G2 arrest and subsequent senescence. SBA-15|CP, but not CP, blocked the growth of melanoma in C57BL/6 mice. Moreover, hepato- and nephrotoxicity in SBA-15|CP treated animals were diminished in comparison to CP confirming multiply improved antitumor potential of immobilized CP. Outstandingly, SBA-15 boosted in vivo activity and diminished side effects of CP. Supplementary material: [https://cer.ihtm.bg.ac.rs/handle/123456789/4482]

The citric acid (CA), dextran (DEX) and (3-aminopropyl)triethoxysilane (APTES) are frequently used ligands for surface modification of magnetite nanoparticles to improve their colloidal stability and biocompatibility for use in biomedicine. Here we report the synthesis, surface modification of magnetite (Fe3O4) nanoparticles and analysis of the influence of coating materials on heating efficiency in magnetic hyperthermia, as well as on electrochemical sensing toward the detection of neurotransmitter dopamine (DOP). Spherical magnetite nanoparticles (~13 nm) were prepared by co-precipitation and surface-modified with CA, APTES and DEX. The hyperthermia tests revealed that Fe3O4@APTES resulted in the highest specific absorption rate (SAR) of 67.2 W/g. The engineered sensor, by surface modification of screen-printed carbon (SPC) electrodes with Fe3O4@APTES, showed linear response with DOP in the concentration range of 1−200 μM and a low detection limit of 34.3 nM. Besides, the sensor offered remarkable selectivity, repeatability and reproducibility. Application of SPC-, Fe3O4-, Fe3O4@CA- and Fe3O4@DEX-modified SPC electrode resulted in lower electrocatalytic activity compared with Fe3O4@APTES/SPC. The obtained results indicate the effects of a surface modifier especially that Fe3O4@APTES, alone and combining with SPC electrodes, can serve as an agent in various types of biomedical applications, like hyperthermia and electrochemical sensing of biologically active compounds such as DOP.

The phenolic and elemental profiles of Serbian autochthonous grape varieties ‘Smederevka’ and ‘Plovdina’ were studied and compared with some international varieties. Total phenolic content and radical scavenging activity were highest in seeds of ‘Plovdina’, and in ‘Smederevka’ skins, which also had the highest contents of ferulic, chlorogenic and caffeic acids (16.0, 1.44 and 0.98 mg/kg, respectively). Protocatechuic acid was quantified only in the seeds of these varieties. Untypically for Vitis vinifera L. species, the presence of malvidin 3,5-O-dihexoside was found in the skins of ‘Vranac’ and ‘Muscat Hamburg’. In ‘Plovdina’ skins among the anthocyanins, hexosides of peonidin and delphinidin were prevalent. ‘Plovdina’ grapes had lower quantities of Al, Ni and Na in comparison to the other varieties intended for white wine production. Significant correlations among the most abundant elements, such as K, P, Ca, Mg, S, Fe, Cu, and Zn, pointed to potential positive interactions. For elements that have toxicological reference values, the health risk assessment was calculated for adults and children, and suggested that all samples were safe for human consumption. Supplementary material: [https://cherry.chem.bg.ac.rs/handle/123456789/4488]

Lake Ludaš has been under a strong anthropogenic influence for a very long time, so the history of fruitful scientific investigation was very often connected with the evaluation of a human impact and potential rehabilitation measures. Unfortunately, attempts to improve the lake's natural status remain more in the field of theoretical models than concrete practical solutions. Aiming to better understand the potential of different rehabilitation measures for Lake Ludaš, we combined our ecological analyses (unpublished results) and the literature survey. The continuous massive cyanobacterial bloom and the formation of a thick sediment layer rich in different organic and inorganic pollutants represent two major challenges in the lake's rehabilitation. The unknown ecological role of invasive species that have already colonised Lake Ludaš will make the attempts to improve conditions in the lake even more challenging. The reduction of nutrient load, changes in the intensity and directions of water circulation, as well as top sediment layer removal in the lake, are measures under consideration for several decades. But their combination, order of implementation and possibilities of successful execution are still under debate. However, there is no doubt that the restoration of a natural hydrological regime should be a key step in the rehabilitation of Lake Ludaš.

Rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis L.) is a plant worldwide cultivated mainly for essential oils, extracts, and as a spice. Up-to-date results showed diversity in composition of the essential oils, which may influence their quality, biological activity, and thermal properties. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate the chemical composition, antimicrobial activity, and thermal properties of the rosemary essential oils originating from Serbia and Russia. Additionally, oils were added to the sunflower oils in order to investigate possible antioxidant activity during the frying. Investigation of the chemical profile marked α-pinene, eucalyptol, and camphor as the most abundant compounds in both oils. However, overall composition influenced in such manner that Russian oil showed significantly higher antimicrobial activity, while Serbian oil proved to be better antioxidant agent in case of frying of sunflower oil. This would significantly influence possible application of the oils, which could be used as an antioxidant agent for extension of the food shelf life, or antimicrobial agent for protection against different microbial strains. Supplementary material: [https://cherry.chem.bg.ac.rs/handle/123456789/4793]

The monocationic chloro complexes containing chelating N∩N ligands: [(η6-p-cymene)Ru(L1-4)Cl]+(1-4), where L1 = 4-methyl-1,10-phenantroline, L2 = dipyrido[3,2-a:2',3'-c]phenazine, L3 = 11-chloro-dipyrido[3,2-a:2',3'-c]phenazine, L4 = 11-nitro-dipyrido[3,2-a:2',3'-c]phenazine; p-cymene = 1-methyl-4-isopropylbenzene) have been prepared and characterized as the hexafluorophosphate salts. The biological activity of 1-4 has been investigated in selected 2D monolayer cell cultures (A549, PANC-1, MDA-MB-231, MRC-5). All investigated ruthenium complexes showed similar or even better cytotoxicity to cisplatin. However, there was no significant reduction in growth of PANC-1 cells in a 3D cell culture of multicellular tumor spheroids (MCTS) after treatment with 2-4, while the cisplatin treatment induced retardation in MCTS growth. Flow cytometry analysis of the cell cycle of PANC-1 cells shows that 3 caused changes of cell cycle phase distribution characterized by slight accumulation of cells in the G2-M phase. Absence of the Sub-G1 phase in the cell cycle of the treated cells indicated that there was no fragmentation of DNA for the analyzed time intervals (48 and 72 h treatment). Fluorescent microscopy, after acridine orange/ethidium bromide staining, revealed that the investigated ruthenium complexes induced some characteristics of apoptotic morphology (shrinking and condensation of chromatin) with notably preserved integrity of the plasma membrane. Investigation of cellular uptake and DNA - fraction accumulation performed by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry in PANC-1 cells with equimolar concentrations (5 μM) of 2-4 and cisplatin showed more efficient cellular uptake and DNA - fraction accumulation of complex 3 compared to complexes 2 and 4.

Inhibitors of poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase-1 (PARP-1) showed remarkable clinical efficacy in BRCA-mutated tumors. Based on the rational drug design, derivatives of PARP inhibitor 3-aminobenzamide (3-AB), 2-amino-4-methylbenzamide (L1) and 3-amino-N-methylbenzamide (L2), were coordinated to the ruthenium(II) ion, to form potential drugs affecting DNA and inhibiting PARP enzyme. The four conjugated complexes of formula: C1 [(ƞ6-toluene)Ru(L1)Cl]PF6, C2 [(ƞ6-p-cymene)Ru(L1)Cl]PF6, C3 [(ƞ6-toluene)Ru(L2)Cl2] and C4 [(ƞ6-p-cymene)Ru(L2)Cl2], have been synthesized and characterized. Colorimetric 3-(4.5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2.5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay showed the highest antiproliferative activity of C1 in HCC1937, MDA-MB-231, and MCF-7 breast cancer cells. Efficiency of inhibition of PARP-1 enzymatic activity in vitro decreased in order: C2 > C4 > 3-AB>C1 > C3. ICP-MS study of intracellular accumulation and distribution in BRCA1-mutated HCC1937 revealed that C1-C4 entered cells within 24 h. The complex C1 showed the highest intracellular accumulation, nuclear-targeting properties, and exhibited the highest DNA binding (39.2 ± 0.6 pg of Ru per μg of DNA) that resulted in the cell cycle arrest in the S phase. This is the peer-reviewed version of the article: M. Pavlović, A. Tadić, N. Gligorijević, et al., Synthesis, chemical characterization, PARP inhibition, DNA binding and cellular uptake of novel ruthenium(II)-arene complexes bearing benzamide derivatives in human breast cancer cells, Journal of Inorganic Biochemistry, 2020, 210, 111155, doi: [https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jinorgbio.2020.111155] The published version: [https://cer.ihtm.bg.ac.rs/handle/123456789/3634]

Antimony doped barium-stannate dense ceramic materials were synthesized using spark plasma sintering technique out of mechanically activated precursor powders. The influence of various Sb concentrations (x =0.00 – 0.10) on properties of BaSn1-xSbxO3 ceramics was investigated. Relative densities of prepared samples were in the range of (79–96) %. TEM analysis revealed the presence of many dislocations in undoped BaSnO3, and their significant reduction upon doping with Sb. All samples except BaSn0.92Sb0.08O3 exhibit non-linear I-U characteristic, typical for semiconductors with potential barrier at grain boundaries. Low angle grain boundaries found only in BaSn0.92Sb0.08O3 caused the loss of potential barrier at grain boundaries which was confirmed by AC impedance spectroscopy measurements. Consequently, BaSn0.92Sb0.08O3 showed the lowest electrical resistivity and linear I-U characteristic. UV–vis analysis confirmed the increasing of band gap (Burstein–Moss shift) values in all doped samples. This is the peer-reviewed version of the manuscript: Vukasinovic J, Pocuca-Nesic M, Golic DL, Ribic V, Brankovic Z, Savic SM, Dapcevic A, Bernik S, Podlogar M, Kocen M, Rapljenovic Z, Ivek T, Lazovic V, Dojcinovic B, Brankovic G, The structural, electrical and optical properties of spark plasma sintered BaSn1-xSbxO3 ceramics, Journal of the European Ceramic Society (2020), 40, 15, 5566-5575, doi: [https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jeurceramsoc.2020.06.062] The published version: [http://cer.ihtm.bg.ac.rs/handle/123456789/3628]

Chlorine dioxide (ClO2) degradation of the organophosphorus pesticides azamethiphos (AZA) and dimethoate (DM) (10 mg/L) in deionized water and in Sava River water was investigated for the first time. Pesticide degradation was studied in terms of ClO2 level (5 and 10 mg/L), degradation duration (0.5, 1, 2, 3, 6, and 24 h), pH (3.00, 7.00, and 9.00), and under light/dark conditions in deionized water. Degradation was monitored using high-performance liquid chromatography. Gas chromatography coupled with triple quadrupole mass detector was used to identify degradation products of pesticides. Total organic carbon was measured to determine the extent of mineralization after pesticide degradation. Real river water was used under recommended conditions to study the influence of organic matter on pesticide degradation. High degradation efficiency (88–100% for AZA and 85–98% for DM) was achieved in deionized water under various conditions, proving the flexibility of ClO2 degradation for the examined organophosphorus pesticides. In Sava River water, however, extended treatment duration achieved lower degradation efficiency, so ClO2 oxidized both the pesticides and dissolved organic matter in parallel. After degradation, AZA produced four identified products (6-chlorooxazolo[4,5-b]pyridin-2(3H)-one; O,O,S-trimethyl phosphorothioate; 6-chloro-3-(hydroxymethyl)oxazolo[4,5-b]pyridin-2(3H)-one; O,O-dimethyl S-hydrogen phosphorothioate) and DM produced three (O,O-dimethyl S-(2-(methylamino)-2-oxoethyl) phosphorothioate; e.g., omethoate; S-(2-(methylamino)-2-oxoethyl) O,O-dihydrogen phosphorothioate; O,O,S-trimethyl phosphorodithioate). Simple pesticide degradation mechanisms were deduced. Daphnia magna toxicity tests showed degradation products were less toxic than parent compounds. These results contribute to our understanding of the multiple influences that organophosphorus pesticides and their degradation products have on environmental ecosystems and to improving pesticide removal processes from water. Supplementary material: [http://cherry.chem.bg.ac.rs/handle/123456789/4037]