"UNPACKING" THE EDUCATIONAL PACKAGES: ANTI-GENDER DISCOURSES IN SERBIA

Author(s): Slobodanka Dekić / Language(s): English / Issue: 2/2020

The focus of the analysis are the negative discourses created in 2017 in the Serbian public sphere that referred to educational packages on sex education and prevention of sexual violence against children. The aim of the paper is to analyse the way in which these discourses relate to the “anti-gender” discourse led in Europe during the past two decades, and what are their specificities in the local context. The main argument of the paper is that the episode of “educational packages” can be understood as the first significant manifestation of “anti-gender” politics in Serbia.

150 de ani de la publicarea ,,Originei speciilor"

Author(s): Dumitru Murariu / Language(s): Romanian / Issue: 2/2009

Continuing the ideas of evolutionists (Georges-Louis Leclerc, Comte de Buffon) and of heredity theory (Jean Baptiste Lamarck), Charles Darwin succeeded enriching the causality fenomenon. He observed and demonstrated that all plant and animal species evolved in time from common ancestors, under the pressure of the natural selection. His observations, made during his 57 months long journey around the world, allowed him not only to define the evolution theory but also to understand the movement of the Earth’s mantle, the formation of the coral reef barrier and of the vulcanic islands. Based on the paleontological data he established the evolution of the beings to be made gradually and not saltatory. After the discovery of the genetic laws and especially of the population genetics in 1920, it was demonstrated that the mutations do not transform species. They offer basic elements on which natural selection works. During 1930–1940, anatomists, geneticians, paleontologists, ecologists and ethologists created the modern synthetic evolutionary theory according to which the new species appear due to the action of the natural selection on the gradual accumulations of mutations in isolated populations. After 1950, molecular genetics appeared, studying the proteic sequencies and it points out the gene’s importance in evolution. In 1977 the phylogenetic tree is redefined based on the genetic similarities and not only on the morphological resemblances. Therefore, by DNA sequencing and establishing molecular philogenies the life tree includes three sections: Eubacteria, Archaea and Eucariota. By sequencing the human genome it was established that man and chimpanzee had a common ancestor. Synthesis led to the restriction of the numerous currents in the evolutive thinking and the concept of panselection appeared as an acceptable evolutive mechanism in which macroevolution is considered only the result of the extensive microevolution. By the approaching of the cybernetic systems to those of the structuralist evolutionism the importance of the self-organisation processes revealed as factors which directed the path of evolution. Today, in order to understand the mechanisms of the biological evolution history, Darwin’s inferences are no longer necessary; they have been read in the genetic code. DNA confirms the evolution’s reality and shows the level where mutations are developping.

A Case Study on Moral Disengagement and Rationalization in the Context of Portugese Bullfighting

Author(s): Luis Cordeiro-Rodrigues,Emanuele Achino / Language(s): English / Issue: 3/2017

Bullfighting is increasingly seen as a contested practice in Portugal. The Portuguese public generally disapproves of the practice and the Portuguese animal rights movement has dedicated a significant number of their campaigns to protesting against it. Despite this opposition to the practice, however, there is still legal protection of the practice on grounds of preserving it as a national tradition. This contestation and legality has led bullfighting supporters to actively try to defend and rationalize the practice. This paper analyses this defence and rationalization by exploring a case study of the quasi-lobbyist Portuguese organization, Pr˘toiro. The aforementioned case study is analyzed through the use of critical discourse analysis and neutralization theory. The conclusion reached in this article is that the analysis of speech reveals that Pr˘toiro and its supporters try to morally disengage with the harm done to the bull by using justifications that bullfighting is an ethical activity

A GÂNDI, A ROSTI, A SĂVÂRȘI URA

Author(s): Andrei Vlădescu / Language(s): Romanian / Issue: 22/2019

Hate speech communications, whether expressed through text, image or sound, convey a two-way message: one to the target and the social group to which it belongs, as a factor of their minimization and dehumanization, and the second to other supporters of extremist-aggressive ideologies, to reinforce the sense of belonging to the group and to a common vision.An aggressive discourse is all the more dangerous as it is stated by a charismatic speaker, who addresses a public marked by frustration, in a social or historical context favorable to violence and who benefits from an influential mean of dissemination which is unique or the main source of information for the target audience.Aggressive online speech is an eloquent example of how advanced technologies bring both opportunities and challenges regarding the need for a balance between fundamental rights and principles, as is the case between freedom of expression and the defense of human dignity. The connection of aggressive online discourse with the real world is difficult to demonstrate through systematic empirical evidence, being less preferred the study of the dynamics underlying the transfer of energy from words to overt discrimination, hostile behavior and violent.The purpose of this study is to identify the social groups most vulnerable to aggressive public discourse, as a primary stage in constructing an assessment tool which, based on the vocabulary or the symbolisms used, could determine the affinity of an individual or a group of persons for radical ideologies close to actionable hate.

Abstracts for the 20th Gatherings

Author(s): Author Not Specified / Language(s): English / Issue: 20/2020

Aging in Online Communities: A Systematic Literature Review of Design Recommendations

Author(s): Ana Isabel VELOSO,Sónia FERREIRA,Liliana VALE COSTA,Óscar MEALHA,Carlos Santos / Language(s): English / Issue: 26 (2)/2020

The increase of computer-mediated communication use and the aging population has led to a renewed interest in online communities and social networks for active aging and social support in daily living. However, a systematic understanding of the design recommendations in Senior Online Communities is still lacking in scientific documentation. The aim of this paper is to identify the design recommendations used in online communities that support active aging. In addition, this paper highlights some of the benefits of using online communities by older adults. Twenty-three papers published between January 2015 and May 2020 in English-language, peer-reviewed publications, met inclusion criteria. The review presents a set of recommendations for designing online communities to enhance older adults’ social interactions. A process that aims for “engagement” is suggested to strategically guide the design of Senior Online Communities: Interacting – Sense of Belonging (Role-playing, Storytelling, and Legacy) – Engaging.

Aging in Serbia in the Twentieth Century: A Gender Perspective

Author(s): Vera Gudac-Dodić / Language(s): English / Issue: 3/2019

The text sheds light on some research questions regarding the gender aspects of the past. It gives basic notes on accelerated demographic aging, as well as a historical review of the processes of aging in Serbia and gender inequality among the older generations, i.e. the feminization of the past. This work also includes presentations and perceptions of old age, thus older women, as well as how they are presented in domestic films.

Agoniści receptorów aktywowanych proliferatorami peroksysomów w farmakoterapii. Obecne znaczenie i perspektywy zastosowania

Author(s): Łukasz Dobrek / Language(s): Polish / Issue: 4/2017

Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors (PPAR), present in three major isoforms (α, β / δ and γ), are nuclear transcription factors involved in lipid and glucose metabolism.Those receptors are targeted by fibrates (PPAR-α agonists) used in the hypertriglyceridemia and by thiazolidinediones (glitazones, affecting PPAR-γ), used as hypoglycemicagents in the treatment of type 2 diabetes. Furthermore, there is ongoing work on the new double receptor PPAR-α/γ agonists (glitazars) or compounds affecting both PPAR-γand free fatty acids receptors 1 (FFAR1). The ability to stimulate PPAR, resulted in anti inflammatory, anti-atherogenic and anti-proliferative properties, is also demonstrated by other compounds, such as statins, sartans or non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. The revealed feature broadens their pharmaco dynamic description. To sum up, the agonistic effect on PPAR is an important element of the mechanism of action of many pharmacological agents, both drugs already applied in pharmaco therapy, and novel compounds that are currently in experimental studies and clinical trials.

Aktuelni problemi abortusa, prenatalnog genetskog testiranja i upravljanja trudnoćom

Author(s): Vesna Klajn Tatić / Language(s): Serbian / Issue: 1/2011

Current ethical and legal issues with regard to abortion, prenatal genetic testing and managing pregnancy are discussed in this paper. These problems are considered from the legal theory point of view as well as from the standpoint of the Serbian Law, the European Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms, European Court of Human Rights, legal regulations of several EU countries, the USA, Japan, and their judicial practice. First, the pregnancy termination standards that exist in Serbia are introduced. Then the following issues are explained separately: the pro life and pro choice approaches to abortion; abortion according to the legal approach as a way of survival; the moral and legal status of the fetus; prenatal genetic testing, and finally matters regarding managing pregnancy today.Moral and legal principals of autonomy, namely freedom of choice of the individual, privacy and self-determination give women the right to terminate unwanted pregnancies. In addition, the basic question is whether the right of the woman to abortion clashes with the rights of others. Firstly, with the right of the "fetus to life". Secondly, with the right of the state to intervene in the interest of protecting "the life of the fetus". Third, with the rights of the woman’s partner. The fetus has the moral right to life, but less in relation to the same right of the woman as well as in relation to her right to control her life and her physical and moral integrity. On the other hand, the value of the life of the fetus increases morally and legally with the maturity of gestation; from the third trimester, the interest of the state prevails in the protection of the "life of the fetus" except when the life or health of the pregnant woman are at risk. As regards the rights of the woman’s partner, namely the husband’s opinion, there is no legal significance. The law does not request his participation in the decision on abortion because the decision is exclusively brought by the pregnant woman.Critics of prenatal genetic testing claim that the woman’s autonomous choice is seriously prejudiced, as the women are pressured first with genetic testing and then with abortion, if the test is positive. However, there are views that many parents are left to bring their decisions in a vacuum because the physicians do not discuss all possible available options with them out of fear that they will be perceived as orders. Genetic counseling has an aim to facilitate informed reproductive decisions. Rigid application of policies on non-directive genetic counseling make pregnant women and families unaware of the nature and consequences of the genetic state which could affect the future child. If the real goal is an informed choice then it is the obligation of the physician-specialist to inform the parents with the facts and familiarize them with the true state. Managing pregnancies today medicalizes and pathologizes all pregnancies, and not only the risky ones. Since these techniques are becoming a routine part of medicalized pregnancy managing, pregnant women find it difficult to resist undertaking such technologies or to refuse them. Thus the question on how much these technologies offer sensible choices is imposed. Generally speaking, it is stated that women are becoming observers rather than active participants in giving birth to a new life. Attempts of legal control over a pregnant woman for the protection of "the life of the fetus" violate the woman’s human rights in democratic societies.

Algal and cyanobacterial diversity in saline rivers of the Elton Lake Basin (Russia) studied via light microscopy and next-generation sequencing

Author(s): M.E. Ignatenko,E. A. Selivanova,Y.A. Khlopko,T.N. Yatsenko-Stepanova / Language(s): English / Issue: 1/2021

Naturally saline rivers are known in various regions of the world. Saline rivers with a salinity gradient from the source to the mouth are particularly interesting, because the range of salinity is the structure-forming factor of the hydrobiont assemblage. Such rivers are represented by saline rivers of the Elton Lake Basin in Volgograd region of Russia (the Bolshaya Samoroda River and the Malaya Samoroda River). Herein, we analyzed taxonomic structure and species diversity of microalgae and Cyanobacteria of the saline rivers flowing into the Elton Lake by light microscopy and next-generation sequencing. The differences and possible causes of inconsistencies in the results obtained by these methods are discussed. In total, 91 taxa of microorganisms were identified by integrated approach in the assemblages of microalgae and Cyanobacteria in the middle course of the Bolshaya Samoroda River, and 60 taxa – in the river mouth. The species diversity of those assemblages in the hypersaline Malaya Samoroda River was lower: 27 taxa from the middle course and 23 taxa from the mouth. Next-generation sequencing allowed us to refine and expand the list of microalgae taxa in the studied saline rivers due to detection of species which were hard to identify, low-abundance taxa, as well as extremely small-cell forms. Some discrepancies between the data obtained by light microscopy and next-generation sequencing indicate the advantage of simultaneous use of both methods for study of the algae communities. Such a comprehensive approach provides the most accurate and correct list of taxa added with the morphological descriptions and 18S rRNA and 16S rRNA partial sequences. Generally, 18 taxa have been recorded for the first time in the Bolshaya Samoroda River, belonging to the phyla Chlorophyta (Borodinellopsis sp., Chlorochytrium lemnae Cohn, Caespitella sp., Halochlorococcum sp., Tetraselmis cordiformis (H. J. Carter) F. Stein), Ochrophyta (Pseudocharaciopsis ovalis (Chodat) D. J. Hibberd, Characiopsis sp., Poterioochromonas stipitata Scherffel, Chrysolepidomonas sp.), Euglenozoa (Euglena bucharica I. Kisselev, Lepocinclis tripteris (Dujardin) B. Marin & Melkonian, Phacus orbicularis K. Hübner, P. parvulus G. A. Klebs), Cryptophyta (Hemiselmis cryptochromatica C. E. Lane & J. M. Archibald, Rhodomonas sp., Hanusia phi J. A. Deane), Haptophyta (Pavlova sp.), Cyanobacteria (Johanseninema constrictum (Szafer) Hasler, Dvorák & Poulícková). Seven taxa have been detected for the first time in the algal and cyanobacterial assemblages of the Malaya Samoroda River from the phyla Chlorophyta (Tetraselmis cordiformis, T. arnoldii (Proschkina-Lavrenko) R. E. Norris, Hori & Chihara, T. tetrathele (West) Butcher, Pyrobotrys elongatus Korshikov), Cryptophyta (Hanusia phi), and Cyanobacteria (Synechococcus elongatus (Nägeli) Nägeli, Oscillatoria simplicissima Gomont).

Allocation of the diet of the Argentine Islands’ inshore ichthyofauna

Author(s): A. V. Zinkovskyi,I. V. Dykyy,V. N. Trokhymets / Language(s): English / Issue: 1/2021

Fish diets are important indicators of ecosystem change. This aspect of the ichthyofauna of the coast of the Argentine Islands has been insufficiently studied in comparison with other regions. This article presents the results of comparison of dietary and somatic parameters of the dominant species Notothenia coriiceps depending on the point, depth and season of catch. The sample was collected between February 2006 and February 2007. In the year of study, N. coriiceps, Trematomus bernacchii, Chaenocephalus aceratus (common species), Harpagifer antarcticus and Pagothenia borchgrevinki (rare species in this region) were caught. The average fish size in this region does not differ from other places in the Southern Ocean. In Cornice Channel and Stella Creek, N. coriiceps was smaller than at other points due to the narrowness and shallow depth of these places. In winter, large individuals apparently migrated from the coast. The diet of N. coriiceps consisted mainly of crustaceans and seaweeds, with a small number of mollusks (especially limpets), which are common. The number of fish in the diet of N. coriiceps is relatively low for this region. Access to food was relatively the same at different points and depths of the catch. The lowest amount of food was in the fall, the highest amount of food was in the spring and summer. The condition and hepatosomatic index also did not change depending on the point and depth of the catch, but they were low in spring and high in summer. Perhaps this is due to the low energy value of food, which is not compensated by the amount. It is necessary to conduct studies of the diet of N. coriiceps in other years to clarify the specificity of fish in the diet and phenological changes in somatic parameters. Similar studies are needed for other species in the region if catches are sufficient to collect a representative sample.

An Empirical Study of Latvian Consumers’ Attitudes and Perceptions Towards Genetically Modified Organisms

Author(s): Inese Aleksejeva / Language(s): English / Issue: 1/2016

Genetic modification and genetically modified organisms (GMO) remains a controversial issue. Latvian consumers’ attitude towards genetic modification and GMO have been characterized as negative using Eurobarometer data, but so far no specific investigation of Latvian consumers has been done in this field. The aim of this study was to analyse Latvian consumers’ attitude towards genetic modification and GMO, the subjective and objective knowledge about this questions and acceptability of use of GMO in different application areas. Main task in frame of this research is to summarize different literature and data available to outline some of factors that influence attitudes towards GMO: mainly public subjective and objective knowledge, perception on risk and benefits, and ethical concerns. The survey method was chosen as a tool to collect data and elicit Latvian consumers’ attitude towards use of GMO in different industries. The survey was composed of 18 questions; seven of them have been structured on one to ten–point scale.The survey data of Latvia’s inhabitants (N = 1184) were collected by the telemarketing company from September 2014 until June 2015. To select the units to be included in the sample systematic sampling was applied – every twentieth inhabitant was approached by phone call and invited to answer on survey questions. The results of Latvian consumers’ survey showed that Latvians’ acceptability of genetic modification varies by application area; genetically modified (GM) non–food products are more accepted than GM food and feed products. Ethical and moral aspects play essential role among Latvian consumers. Respondents’ subjective and objective knowledge of genetic modification and GMO differs. The findings would be essential to policy makers when designing risk–communication strategies targeting different consumer segments to ensure proper discussion and addressing potential concerns about genetic modification.

ANALIZA UČESTALOSTI DEFEKTNOG VIĐENJA BOJA U ROMSKIM POPULACIJAMA TUZLANSKE REGIJE

Author(s): Elbisa Hasukić / Language(s): Bosnian / Issue: 8/2016

Promjenjivost (varijacija, varijabilnost) jedna je od univerzalnih i najuočljivijih pojava u živom svijetu i osnovna karakteristika svih vrsta živih bića sa biparentalnim (spolnim) razmnožavanjem. Osnovno zapažanje o pojedinačnim osobinama jeste da se neke od njih kod svih pripadnika proučavane grupe javljaju u jednoj formi (varijanti) druge u dvije, a ostale u tri ili više međusobno različitih varijanti (fenotipova, modaliteta, oblika).

Analysis of differences of growth and phenology of provenances of Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris) in provenance experiment at Žepče

Author(s): Senada Šito,Dalibor Ballian / Language(s): English / Issue: 3/2017

This paper analyses the growth and phenology of fourteen European provenances of Scots pine at the international experimental plot at Zepce. The experiment with the provenances was developed during the spring of 2012 with two (2+0) year old plants. In total 1400 Scots pine saplings were planted in an experimental random block layout, fourteen provenances in four repetitions (4 x 25 plants). The experiment is composed of provenances from ten European countries: Austria (Traisen, Rein, Sistrans), Bosnia and Herzegovina (Bugojno), Scotland (Shieldaig), Ukraine (IvanoFrankivsk), Slovakia (Hanusovce), Romania (Sacueini), Norway (Narvik), Germany (Trippstadt), Poland (Raciane – Nida) and Italy (Ca del Lupo, Fenestrelle, Piani – Valda). The morphological results relate to the differences in survival, height, diameter on the root neck and the ratio of these measurements to the height of the saplings of different provenances of Scots pine. Phenological details relate to the phenology of the buds and complete formation of pine needles. All of the details researched have yielded notably different findings. The results of the research can play a significant role in reforestation as well as the preservation of the genetic wealth of Scots pine.

ANALYSIS OF THE IMPACT AND EFFECTIVENESS OF SUPPORT MEASURES AND INTERVENTIONS ON PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES

Author(s): Oana Banu / Language(s): English / Issue: 1/2018

Social inclusion of people with disabilities is an essential prerequisite of human rights. In the current context, according to data, the social welfare system faces an increasing number of people with disabilities. The social services for these beneficiaries cover a relatively small fraction of their needs. The main type of support for this vulnerable group is in-cash social benefits, while other social inclusion measures are occupying a marginal place in practice. The accent on granting in-cash social benefits to the detriment of social reintegration programs leads to an increased dependency of disabled persons to the welfare system. Although it is considered that the situation of people with disabilities has improved since 2000, several problems occur as a lack of financial and human resources, as well as to the difficulty of setting up a coherent support system for people with disabilities. Disability is not a simple attribute of an individual, but rather a cumulative addition of various conditions created by the social environment. The management of disability requires social action and it must become the common responsibility of the whole community/ society in the sense of producing necessary environmental/ attitudinal changes to facilitate participation of persons with disabilities in all the spheres of social life.

Anthropogenic load іs a leading factor in the morphological variability of Chondrula tridens (Gastropoda, Enidae) in the northwestern Azov Sea region

Author(s): O. I. Koshelev,M. V. Gensytskyi,V. O. Koshelev,N. V. Yorkina,O. M. Kunakh / Language(s): English / Issue: 2/2021

Morphometric data are widely used in biology to assess intraspecific and inter-population variability and for bioindication and environmental condition assessment. The following hypotheses have been experimentally tested in the paper: 1) the vegetation type affects the change in the shell shape of Chondrula tridens martynovi Gural-Sverlova & Gural, 2010; 2) the change in the shell shape of this species is influenced by the biotope moisture regime; 3) the shell shape changes depending on the anthropogenic load level. The material in the form of empty, fully formed Ch. tridens shells was collected in 2019 in the north-western Azov region within the basin of the Molochna River. The collection points were located in settlements and outside them and differed in vegetation, moisture regime and level of anthropogenic load. The vegetation has been expertly attributed to two alternative types: herbaceous vegetation and tree plantations. By moisture level, the locations have been assessed as xerophytic and mesoxerophytic. The anthropogenic load levels have been assessed as low, medium and high. The study revealed that the morphological characteristics of Ch. tridens demonstrate a significant component of variability, which is due to the shell size. The shell size depends on the anthropogenic impact level. Under conditions of high anthropogenic impact, the shell size increases. Mollusks from locations with low and medium anthropogenic impact levels did not differ in shell size. After extraction of the size component, morphological properties develop three main trends of variability. The mouth apparatus development of mollusks does not depend on the vegetation type, but depends on the biotope moisture level and the anthropogenic transformation level. The mollusk shell elongation was observed to have the opposite dynamics of the height parameters in relation to the width and depended on the level of anthropogenic load. Rearrangement in the mouth apparatus depended on the biotope moisture level and the anthropogenic load level. There were distinguished four clusters, the quantitative morphological features of which allowed us to identify them as morphotypes. Each location was characterized by a combination of different morphotypes, according to which the sampling points may be classified. Morphotype 1 corresponds to biotopes with low level of anthropogenic load, morphotype 4 corresponded to biotopes with high anthropogenic load. Morphotypes 2 and 3 corresponded to moderate level of anthropogenic load. Vegetation type is not an important factor in determining the morphotypic diversity of populations. Under xerophytic conditions, morphotypes 2 and 3 are more common, and under mesoxerophytic conditions, morphotypes 1 and 4 are more common. The range of molluscs in different habitats needs to be expanded in the future to clarify climatic and other patterns.

Antibacterial and fungicidal activities of ethanol extracts of 38 species of plants

Author(s): V. V. Zazharskyi,P. O. Davydenko,O.M. Kulishenko,I.V. Borovik,N. M. Zazharska,V. V. Brygadyrenko / Language(s): English / Issue: 3/2020

Galenic preparations are broadly used against microorganisms pathogenic to humans, thought their poteintial in this aspect is not studied completely. In our in vitro experiment we studied the influence of alcohol tinctures from 38 species of plants on 15 species of bacteria and one species of fungus. Zones of growth inhibition of colonies measuring over 8 mm were observed during the use of ethanol extracts of Maclura pomifera against eight species of microorganisms (Escherichia сoli, Proteus mirabilis, Serratia marcescens, Yersinia enterocolitica, Salmonella typhimurium, Rhodococcus equi, Campylobacter jejuni and Corynebacterium xerosis), Ginkgo biloba - against eight species (Enterococcus faecalis, S. marcescens, Y. enterocolitica, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Listeria іnnocua, L. monocytogenes, Р. аeruginosa and C. jejuni), Genista tinctoria - against seven species (E. coli, Enterobacter aerogenes, Proteus mirabilis, K. pneumoniae, S. typhimurium, Р. аeruginosa and Rh. equi), Phellodendron amurense - against seven species (E. faecalis, S. marcescens, S. typhimurium, Rh. equi, C. jejunі, C. xerosis and Candida albicans), Berberis vulgaris - against seven species (P. mirabilis, S. marcescens, K. pneumoniae, S. typhimurium, C. jejuni, Р. аeruginosa and C. xerosis), Vitex negundo - against six species (E. faecalis, E. coli, P. mirabilis, K. pneumoniae, S. typhimurium and Rh. equi), Koelreuteria paniculata - against six species (E. faecalis, P. mirabilis, S. marcescens, S. typhimurium, C. jejunі and E. coli), Magnolia kobus - against six species (E. faecalis, E. coli, P. mirabilis, S. marcescens, S. typhimurium, C. jejunі and C. xerosis), Liriodendron tulipifera - against six species (K. pneumoniae, Listeria іnnocua, Р. аeruginosa, C. jejuni, Rh. equi and C. albicans), Clematis flammula - against six species (E. faecalis, P. mirabilis, L. monocytogenes, Р. аeruginosa, C. jejuni and C. xerosis), Wisteria sinensis - against five species (E. coli, S. typhimurium, L. monocytogenes, Rh. equi and C. albicans), Chimonanthus praecox - against five species (E. faecalis, S. marcescens, L. monocytogenes, C. jejuni and Rh. equi), Colchicum autumnale - against five species (S. marcescens, K. pneumoniae, L. ivanovi, L. monocytogenes and Р. аeruginosa). As a result of the study, these plants were found to be the most promising for further study of in vivo antibacterial activity. In the search of antibacterial and antifungal activities, the following plants were observed to be less promising: Ailanthus altissima, Aristolochia manshuriensis, Artemisia absinthium, Callicarpa bodinieri, Campsis radicans, Catalpa duclouxii, Celastrus scandens, Dictamnus alba, Eucommia ulmoides, Geranium sanguineum, Laburnum anagyroides, Nepeta racemosa, Parthenocissus tricuspidata, Polygonatum multiflorum, Prunus dulcis, P. laurocerasus, Ptelea trifoliata, Pteridium aquilinum, Quercus castaneifolia, Q. petraea iberica, Salvia officinalis, Securigera varia, Styphnolobium japonicum, Tamarix elongata and Vitex agnus-castus.

Antibacterial effect of essential oils of two plants Eucalyptus camaldulensis and Artemisia herba alba on some bacterial strains

Author(s): Hayette Bouabida,D. Dris,M. Houhamdi,H. Fenghour / Language(s): English / Issue: 2/2021

Essential oils are secondary plant metabolites and have many therapeutic properties. The aim of our study is to determine the antibacterial effect of the essential oils of two plants cultivated in a semi-arid region located in the Northeast of Algeria (Tebessa), Eucalyptus camaldulensis (Myrtaceae) and Artemisia herba alba (Asteraceae). The yield of essential oils of the two plants were 1.45 ± 0.026 and 1.21 ± 0.061 g/100 g of the dry matter of the aerial part respectively. The test of the antibacterial effect is based on the diffusion method on solid medium (sensitivity), this method allows us to determine the susceptibility or resistance of an organism vis-à-vis the sample studied. Our study reveals that E. camaldulensis essential oil had very strong activity on all bacterial strains tested, except on Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Enterococcus faecalis for which there was no inhibitory effect. However, A. herba alba essential oil had very strong activity on all bacterial strains tested except on Pseudomonas aeruginosa. The MIC of Artemisia essential oil ranged between 0.08 and 1.57 µL/mL, with the lowest activity for S. aureus and P. mirabilis (1.57 µL/mL) and the highest activity was observed against E. feacalis, E. coli, and K. pneumonia (0.09 µL/mL). The MIC of the second plant EO ranged between 0.08 and 0.36 µL/mL, with the lowest activity for P. mirabilis (0.36 µL/mL) and the highest one was observed against S. saprophyticus and E. coli (0.08 µL/mL). Statistical analysis shows that the two plants have the same efficacy against S. saprophyticus while E. faecalis, K. pneumoniae and P. mirabilis species are affected more by the essential oil of A. herba alba. While, E. camaldulensis has a higher efficiency than that of A. herba alba on the species: S. aureus and E. coli. Therefore, the essential oils of E. camaldulensis and A. herba alba suggests avenues for further non clinical and clinical studies.

Antibiofilm forming, antimicrobial activity and some biochemical properties of Vaccinium vitis idaea leaf and berry extracts on Staphylococcus aureus

Author(s): M. V. Kryvtsova,I. Salamon,J. Koscova,M. Y. Spivak / Language(s): English / Issue: 3/2020

Infections caused by Staphylococcus genus bacteria remain a relevant problem due to the high percentage of antibiotic-resistant biofilm-forming strains of isolates of this genus. Herbs are a promising source for many biologically active compounds with antimicrobial properties. The aim of the research was to study the antimicrobial and antibiofilm formation activity of berry and leaf extracts of Vaccinium vitis-idaea L. upon clinical isolates of S. aureus, and the main biochemical properties of these extracts. For the purpose of analysis, we used S. aureus isolated from the mouth cavities and pharynx of human patients suffering from inflammatory diseases. The plants for the study were gathered in Pylypets, Mizhhiria rayon, Zakarpatska oblast (Transcarpathia). From Vaccinium vitis-idaea L., leaf and berry extracts were produced. To determine the chemical properties of the extracts, the following constituents were investigated: total tannin, flavonoids, total phenols, anthocyanins (by spectrophotometric method), and the total amount of vitamin C in berry extract (chromatographically). The antimicrobial activity was studied by diffusion-into-agar method and determination of minimum inhibitory concentrations. The antibiofilm activity of the extracts was tested in standard 96-well microtitration plates. The main chemical composition of ethyl extracts of Vaccinium vitis-idaea L. berries and leaves was identified. The level of tannins in leaf extracts was established to be higher than in fruit extracts (3.50% and 0.26% per 100 g of extract, respectively). It was shown that extracts of V. vitis-idaea berries and leaves demonstrate high antimicrobial activity against clinical isolates of S. aureus. Further it was established that leaf extracts had high ability to destroy the bacterial biofilm of S. aureus. Leaf extracts were also able to destroy the formed biofilm. Even in the 0.01% concentration, leaf extract inhibited the formation of the biofilm by 69.9% and caused the destruction of the formed biofilm by 62.5%. Thereby, the obtained results show good prospects for the use of V. vitis-idaea leaf extracts as an anti-staphylococcal remedy with antibiofilm forming properties.

Archaeology, Evolution and Darwinism

Author(s): Aleksandar Palavestra,Marko Porčić / Language(s): English / Issue: 3/2008

This paper presents a short history of the influence evolutionary thinking has had on anthropology and archaeology. The focus is on four major "schools" in evolutionist thought: the classical evolutionism of the 19th century, Neo-evolutionism, social biology (sociobiology) and Neo-Darwinian archaeology. The basic conclusion of this text is that the idea of socio-cultural evolution, understood in the broadest sense, has left a lasting impression on anthropological and archeological theory, and that it still represents a useful theoretical framework for new research.