Effects of serine on morphine-dependent mice

A dense AChE-positive network was visualized by light microscopy in the thoracic spinal cord of grown-up guinea pigs of both sexes (bodyweight 250-300 g). This network connects in a horizontal and vertical direction the preganglionic sympathetic nuclei (n. intermediolateralis pars principalis (ILp), n. intermediolateralis pars funicularis (ILf), n intercalatus spinals (IC), n. intercalatus pars paraependymalis (ICpe), (Petras and Cummings, 1972) all along the thoracic spinal cord. In addition to AChE activity, the bundles of fibers of this network also show a strong formaldehyde-induced NA fluorescence. Electron microscopy demonstrated granular vesicles in the cytoplasm of ILp cells. The surface of the ILp and IC neurons is almost entirely covered with synaptic bottons which have clear and granulated synaptic vesicles. The bundles of fibers consists of parallel myelin-free axones and dendrites. On their cource the axones form varicosities. In the varicosities and in the synaptic enlargements there are also clear and granulated (40-100 nm) vesicles. The probable origin of the vegetative network fibers of guinea pig thoracic spinal cord is discussed.     

Elemental Composition of Various Sour Cherry and Table Grape Cultivars Using Inductively Coupled Plasma Atomic Emission Spectrometry Method (ICP-OES)

Three sour cherry and three table grape cultivars were analyzed using inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry. The elements: Na, K, Ca, Mg, Fe, Cu, Zn, Mn, Cr, Cd, Co, Pb, and Ni were detected in all samples; four elements are very abundant (K, Na, Ca, and Mg), and four are not abundant (Cu, Fe, Mn, and Zn). Five of them are trace elements (Cr, Cd, Co, Pb, and Ni) at <0.1 mg/kg. Among the 13 elements analyzed, potassium was the most abundant element distributed throughout all categories of fruits. Iron was the predominant minor element constituents. Manganese concentration was the highest in table grape cultivars. The accuracy of the results was evaluated by spike recovery tests. Analysis of variance was used to establish the metals with significant difference in mean content between the cultivars from sour cherries and between table grapes. Principal component analysis was used to evaluate the distribution of metals.     

Synthesis and Characterization of Rutile TiO2 Nanopowders Doped with Iron Ions

Titanium dioxide nanopowders doped with different amounts of Fe ions were prepared by coprecipitation method. Obtained materials were characterized by structural (XRD), morphological (TEM and SEM), optical (UV/vis reflection and photoluminescence, and Raman), and analytical techniques (XPS and ICP-OES). XRD analysis revealed rutile crystalline phase for doped and undoped titanium dioxide obtained in the same manner. Diameter of the particles was 5–7 nm. The presence of iron ions was confirmed by XPS and ICP-OES. Doping process moved absorption threshold of TiO₂ into visible spectrum range. Photocatalytic activity was also checked. Doped nanopowders showed normal and up-converted photoluminescence.     

Composition,antimicrobial, antiradical and spasmolytic activity of Ferula heuffelii Griseb. ex Heuffel (Apiaceae) essential oil

The essential oil from underground parts of Ferula heuffelii from N.E. Serbia, was analysed using GC and GC–MS. The main compounds of the essential oil were elemicin (35.4%) and myristicin (20.6%). The essential oil exhibited the best antimicrobial activity against two strains of Candida albicans (MIC = 7.0 and 13.7 μg/ml), as well as against Micrococcus luteus (MIC = 13.7 μg/ml), Staphylococcus epidermidis (MIC = 17.6 μg/ml), Bacillus subtilis (MIC = 21.1 μg/ml) and Micrococcus flavus (MIC = 28.2 μg/ml). In the DPPH radical scavenging assay, essential oil showed substantial activity with SC₅₀ = 22.43 μl/ml. The essential oil was also tested for antispasmodic activity. It inhibited spontaneous contraction of isolated rat ileum dose-dependently, and at the concentration of 86.64 μg/ml exhibited 50% of the maximum effect of atropine. After incubation with 75.00 μg/ml of essential oil, acetylcholine did not induce contractions of ileum, and at 250.00 μg/ml, the essential oil almost completely abolished the spasmodic effect of potassium chloride (80 mM).     

Application of decolorization on sugar beet pulp in bread production

The aim of this research is the examination of the decolorizing effect of hydrogen peroxide, on sugar beet fibers, which oxidizes the precursors of colored matter and the colored products from enzymatic reactions, by creating uncolored compounds. The advantage of hydrogen peroxide is that its surplus separates into water and hydrogen under the effects of temperature, light, and ions of alkaline and heavy metals and so, non-sucrose compounds do not get into the system. The color change of sugar beet dietary fibers is examined depending on the hydrogen peroxide concentration (in the range from 5 to 20 g H₂O₂/1,000 cm³), the pH value (in the range from 5 to 11), and the time of reaction (in the range from 1 to 12 h) at a temperature of 30 °C. To obtain the best effects of decolorized dietary fibers in white bread production the quality of the raw material is defined. The parameters for the preparation of the bread are chosen (the amount and particle size of the fibers, the amount of water and the mode of its addition) as are the additives, which results in good-quality white bread with sugar beet fibers.     

Application of Twisselmann extraction, SPME, and GC-MS to assess input sources for organophosphate esters into soil

Although the ubiquitous distribution of organophosphate esters (OPEs) in the environment has been documented very thoroughly, data on their occurrence in soil is so far sparse. In this study, an analytical method was developed to determine six OPEs in soil. The method consists of a combination of Twisselmann extraction and solid-phase microextraction (SPME), followed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). To develop the method, spiked soil was extracted using a Twisselmann extractor after freeze-drying. The extract was evaporated to dryness, redissolved, and filtered. A volume of 7 mL was then analyzed by SPME, followed by GC-MS. The effects of different parameters on analyte recoveries during sample preparation, e.g., solvent for Twisselmann extraction, solvent for redissolving the extract, addition of copper, and filtration of the extract, were systematically investigated. Under optimum conditions, 10 g soil samples were extracted using toluene, and the extract was redissolved in methanol/water (1:14) and filtered. It was not necessary to add copper. For TnBP, TBEP, TCPP, and TCEP, recoveries ranged from 77.0% to 89.6%. Those for TPP and TDCP were much lower, at 31.5% and 42.0%, respectively (addition level 22.9-45.8 ng g(-1)). The variability of recoveries under these conditions was between 0.3 and 16.2% (n = 3). Limits of detection (LOD) were 0.002-3 ng g(-1). When ultrasonication was used in place of Twisselmann extraction in the developed method, recoveries were three to four times lower (27.4% to 30.6%), but the variability of recoveries was below 3% (n = 3). The method was applied to quantify OPEs in soil collected from the university campus in Osnabrueck (Germany). Average concentrations (n = 6) in soil samples ranged from 1.23 ng g(-1) to 4.96 ng g(-1) (dry weight) for TCPP, TPP, and TCEP. The results demonstrate for the first time that atmospheric deposition leads to soil contamination by OPEs.     

Milk-based beverages obtained by Kombucha application

This paper investigates the manufacture of milk-based beverages by application of several Kombucha starters. Local Kombucha culture was grown up on three substrates: sweetened black and green tea, and topinambur. Their concentrates were obtained by vacuum-evaporation and amounts of 10% and 15% (v/v) were applied to milk (2.2% fat). The traditional yoghurt starter (B3) was applied for producing control samples. All fermentations were stopped when the pH reached 4.4. Fermentation curves were registered, linear for yoghurt and sigmoidal for Kombucha. Two times faster process was achieved with yoghurt starter. Influence of inoculum concentration on the rate of fermentation was insignificant. Viscosities were higher for Kombucha beverages at lower speeds of spindle, but lower at higher speeds of spindle. Very high sensory scores were achieved for all beverages, after production and after 5-days’ storage.     

Perspectives of sustainable development in countries of Southeastern Europe

Countries of SE Europe are at very beginning of planning of their development in accordance with theoretical concept of sustainable development. Sustainable development is defined as the basic imperative and the only model of development in a longer period of time. The basic indicators of sustainable development represent a very useful and quality way for measuring and monitoring the state of sustainable development, as in every country individually so as in the regions and globally as a whole. Values of the indicators of all four subsystems in observed countries are within expectation. Also the current level of development of every country separately is taken into account and in accordance to that it is defined the current position of any country in respect to its international requests. The special value is given by the comparison of obtained results of the state in the developed EU countries, according to which there is an impression of equal degree of sustainable development in France and Germany, whereas the data regarding the state of sustainable development in Greece and at Slovenia has been improved between two analysis. Taking into account the results of the previous and current research there is a clear need for regular observation of the state of every indicator individually but also the need to observe the relationship among them as a whole. The special attention needs to be given to the intensive monitoring of indicators of economic and ecological subsystem. The research showed, among other things, to the fragile relationship of values of indicators of economic and ecological subsystem, by which any change in values of one indicator consequently leads to the changes in the final result. Both conducted researches point to the fact that the value of the mentioned indicators changes at the fastest pace.