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Marina Bekić,1 Miloš Vasiljević,2 Dušica Stojanović,3 Vanja Kokol,4 Dušan Mihajlović,2 Dragana Vučević,2 Petar Uskoković,3 Miodrag Čolić,1,2,5 Sergej Tomić1 1Department for Immunology and Immunoparasitology, Institute for the Application of Nuclear Energy, University of Belgrade, Belgrade, Serbia; 2Center for Biomedical Sciences, Medical Faculty Foča, University of East Sarajevo, Foča, Bosnia and Herzegovina; 3Department for Construction and Special Materials, Faculty for Technology and Metallurgy, University in Belgrade, Belgrade, Serbia; 4Department of Textile Materials and Design, Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, University of Maribor, Maribor, Slovenia; 5Serbian Academy of Sciences and Arts, Belgrade, SerbiaCorrespondence: Sergej Tomić, Institute for the Application of Nuclear Energy, University of Belgrade, Banatska 31b, Belgrade, Zemun, 11080, Serbia, Tel +381 11 2610 126, Fax +381 11 2618 724, Email sergej.tomic@inep.co.rsPurpose: Phosphonates, like 3-AminoPropylphosphonic Acid (ApA), possess a great potential for the therapy of bone tumours, and their delivery via cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs) seems a promising approach for their increased efficacy in target tissues. However, the immunological effects of CNC-phosphonates have not been investigated thoroughly. The main aim was to examine how the modification of CNCs with phosphonate affects their immunomodulatory properties in human cells.Methods: Wood-based native (n) CNCs were modified via oxidation (ox-CNCs) and subsequent conjugation with ApA (ApA-CNCs). CNCs were characterised by atomic force microscopy (AFM) and nanoindentation. Cytotoxicity and immunomodulatory potential of CNCs were investigated in cultures of human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) and monocyte-derived dendritic cells (MoDCs)/T cells co-cultures by monitoring phenotype, cytokines production, allostimulatory and Th/Treg polarisation capacity.Results: AFM showed an increase in CNCs’ thickens, elasticity modulus and hardness during the modification with ApA. When applied at non-toxic doses, nCNCs showed a tolerogenic potential upon internalisation by MoDCs, as judged by their increased capacity to up-regulate tolerogenic markers and induce regulatory T cells (Treg), especially when present during the differentiation of MoDCs. In contrast, ox- and ApA-CNCs induced oxidative stress and autophagy in MoDCs, which correlated with their stimulatory effect on the maturation of MoDCs, but also inhibition of MoDCs differentiation. ApA-CNC-treated MoDCs displayed the highest allostimulatory and Th1/CTL polarising activity in co-cultures with T cells. These effects of ApA-CNCs were mediated via GABA-B receptor-induced lowering of cAMP levels in MoDCs, and they could be blocked by GABA-B receptor inhibitor. Moreover, the Th1 polarising and allostimulatory capacity of MoDCs differentiated with ApA-CNC were largely preserved upon the maturation of MoDCs, whereas nCNC- and ox-CNC-differentiated MoDCs displayed an increased tolerogenic potential.Conclusion: The delivery of ApA via CNCs induces potent DC-mediated Th1 polarisation, which could be beneficial in their potential application in tumour therapy.Keywords: cellulose nanocrystals, phosphonates, dendritic cells, immunomodulation, GABA-B receptor

The following new cavernicolous ground beetle taxa are described from three caves in eastern Serbia: Duvalius (Paraduvalius) trifunovici sp. n., from the Mandina Pećina Cave, village of Zlot, near Bor, Kučajske Planine Mts., D. (P.) rtanjensis sp. n., from the Golema Porica Pit, Mt. Rtanj, and Glabroduvalius gen. n., G. tupiznicensis sp. n., from the Gornja Lenovačka Pećina Cave, village of Lenovac, near Zaječar, Mt. Tupižnica. The new taxa are easily distinguished from related organisms. All important morphological features have been listed, along with the diagnoses and illustrations of the taxa. The new taxa are relicts and endemics of eastern Serbia and probably belong to old phyletic lineages of Tertiary or even pre-Tertiary origin. [Projekat Ministarstva nauke Republike Srbije, br. 173038, br. 43001 i br. 43002]

Following the water regulation along the Danube river, the area of natural forests decreases and the vegetation is fragmented. The goal of the study was to survey the recent phytocenological characteristics of the region of the protected floodplain outside the dam. We surveyed three site types in poplar plantations near Novi Sad. In the poplar plantations phytocoenological relevés were made. The elevation of the study plantations is between 75 and 76 m a.s.l. The most represented species on the ground layer are the species Dactylis glomerata, Urtica dioica and Rubus caesius identified on the humofluvisol. The most represented species on the sandy part of the fluvisol were Rubus caesius, Solidago serotina, Dactylis glomerata and Equisetum arvense. The loamy form of fluvisol occurs at an elevation of 75.50 m. The most numerous species on the loamy form of the fluvisol in the flooded region were Rubus caesius, Solidago serotina, Polygonum hydropiper, Dactylis glomerata and Urtica dioica. Based on the above data, we determined the differences between ground vegetation in the study areas and in the part of the alluvial plain affected by additional moisture by both floodwater and ground water.

Many of modern technologies require materials with unusual combinations of properties that cannot be met by the conventional metal alloys, ceramics, and polymeric materials. Material property combinations and ranges have been extended by the development of composite materials. Development of Nd-Fe-B/polymer composite magnetic materials has significantly increased interest in research and development of bonded magnets, since particles of Nd-Fe-B alloys are proved to be very suitable for their production. This study investigates the mechanical and magnetic properties of compression molded Nd-Fe-B magnets with different content of magnetic powder in epoxy matrix. Mechanical properties were investigated at ambient temperature according to ASTM standard D 3039-00. The obtained results show that tensile strength and elongation decrease with an increase of Nd-Fe-B particles content in epoxy matrix. The modulus of elasticity increases, which means that in exploitation material with higher magnetic powder content, subjected to the same level of stress, undergoes 2 to 3.5 times smaller deformation. Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) was used to examine the morphology of sample surfaces and fracture surfaces caused by the tensile strength tests. The results of SQUID magnetic measurements show an increase of magnetic properties of the investigated composites with increasing content of Nd-Fe-B particles.

A morphological analysis of the male genitalia of 24 species of the subfamily Agathidinae from 10 genera is presented. Detailed descriptions of important morphological features of all the species are given. Their value in the identification of the species was assessed. It was found that the morphology of male genitalia could be used for identification of the genera, while it was of limited value at the species level, except for those belonging to multispecific genera.

Adaptation to the parasitic way of life in braconids has led to a number of consequences in the morphology of the ovipositor of females. As a derivative of the paired appendages of the eighth and ninth abdominal segments, the ovipositor is a complex morphological structure of gonapophysal origin whose muscular system makes possible highly complex movements during the act of egg-laying. In some groups of braconids, imaginal and egg-larval forms of parasitism have developed in the course of evolution. In adapting to these two forms of parasitism, the ovipositor underwent significant changes, while still remaining a successful structure for the paralyzation and laying of eggs in the host. This paper presents a survey of the ovipository apparatus structure in the species of the genera Ascogaster Wesmael, Leptodrepana Shaw, Chelonus Panzer, Microchelonus Szepligeti, and Phanerotoma Wesmael, and gives a review of the changes in structure of the ovipositor during adaptation to egg-larval parasitism.

In five indigenous populations of Thymus glabrescens Willd. collected in the region of Banat (Serbia), the variability on leaf morphological traits, leaf and stem anatomy, and composition of the essential oil was studied. The major component in the studied populations was either thymol or γ-terpinene. Distinct differentiation of populations with respect to chemical composition of essential oils might be related to spatial distribution of the studied populations. No correlations between morphology, anatomy, and essential oil yield and composition were determined. Both capitate and peltate glandular trichomes were found on calyces, whereas the latter were noticed on the abaxial and adaxial leaf surface.

Persistent photoconductivity at low temperature in PbTe + 0.4 at.% Ga has been investigated using kinetic equations which describe the transport process on DX-like impurity centers. Measured and calculated photoconductivity as a function of illumination and temperature is presented. Experimental results are interpreted assuming the mixed valence of Ga in lead telluride and the formation of centers with negative correlation energy. Numeric values of the mathematical model constant at steady state are calculated by comparing the measured and calculated temperature dependence of the resistivity and carrier concentrations for illuminated and unilluminated n-type samples. Thus, the positions and concentrations of different impurity states are determined. .

Entomological research and literature data on longhorn beetles (Coleoptera Cerambycidae) indicate the presence of 78 species on the mountain Fruška Gora, Serbia. Nineteen species are listed as rare on the territory of Serbia and Montenegro. Based on information about their bionomy and general distribution, these species are divided into five groups: a group of species with narrow ranges; a group of species whose range border passes through the territory of Serbia and Montenegro; a group of species which develop on only a few botanical species; a group of species for which the territory of Serbia and Montenegro is not their range border, but which are found rarely; and species introduced to Europe.

Five hundred and twenty species have been recorded for the fauna of Noctuidae (Lepidoptera) in Serbia (Vasić, 2002). In addition to this, there are the research data for Mt. Durmitor in Montenegro (about 260 species have been recorded for the fauna of Noctuidae in Montenegro). The species Mythimna languida (Walker, 1858), Mythimna congrua (Hübner, 1817), and Mythimna riparia (Rambur, 1829), represent species of the genus Mythimna (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae, Hadeninae) new for the fauna of Serbia and Montenegro. These species were found in the Bay of Kotor or Boka Kotorska (Southwest Montenegro). The finding of Mythimna languida represents the northernmost finding of that species in Europe.

Scientific analysis of longhorn beetles (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae) collected on the mountain Fruška Gora from 2000 to 2004 has shown the presence of six new species for the fauna of Serbia and Montenegro. In addition to these four species were new for the fauna of Serbia.

The present communication reports the finding of Cryphia amasina (Draudt 1931) (Lepidoptera, Noctuidae, Bryophilinae), a species for the fauna of Serbia. Specimens of Cryphia amasina were found in the Fruška Gora National Park, which is located in the North Serbian province Vojvodina. This finding is a result of the more comprehensive entomological research conducted by the author in this area since 2001. different collecting methods (including bulb traps, malaise traps, butterfly nets, and caterpillar breeding) were used in the research. The specimens of Cryphia amasina were caught using a light trap with a 150W bulb in the morning hours.

Some of simple carbohydrates and their derivatives are used for the clinical treatment of various diseases. Epoxide derivatives, which can be obtained by the intramolecular elimination of water from two vicinal hydroxyl groups, are stable, but sufficiently reactive compounds very often used as intermediaries in various syntheses. Synthesis of epoxide derivative, methyl 3,4-anhydro- -6-bromo-2-O-tert-butyldimethylsilyl-6-deoxy-α-D-allopyranoside from α-D-glucose was achieved in high yields in the minimal number of synthetic steps. Anhydrous glucose was used as a starting material which was transformed into methyl α-D-glucopyranoside using dry, gaseous hydrogen chloride. Thus obtained derivative was treated with benzaldehyde in the presence of zinc chloride as Lewis acid giving methyl (R)-4,6-O-benzylidene-α-D-glucopyranoside. The obtained compound was treated with N-bromosuccinimide (NBS) in dichloromethane in the presence of barium carbonate giving methyl 4-O-benzoyl-6- -bromo-6-deoxy-α-D-glucopyranoside. In the next step, the obtained compound was treated with tert-butyldimethylsilyl chloride (TBDMSCl) in pyridine, and methyl 4-O-benzoyl-6-bromo-2-O-tert-butyldimethylsilyl-6-deoxy-α-D-glucopyranoside was further mesylated, and the obtained methyl 4-O-benzoyl-6- -bromo-2-O-tert-butyldimethylsilyl-6-deoxy-3-O-mesyl-α-D-glucopyranoside was treated at the end with KOH to give methyl 3,4-anhydro-6-bromo-2-O-tert- -butyldimethylsilyl-6-deoxy-α-D-allopyranoside (yield 78 %).