First Report on the Efficiency of Oral Vaccination of Foxes against Rabies in Serbia.

Rabies is one of the oldest known zoonotic diseases that has significant impact on public health, but still remains neglected in Serbia. Rabies virus can infect humans and other mammals and causes inflammation of the brain associated with encephalomyelitis and neurological symptoms. In 2010, Veterinary Directorate (national Competent Authority for animal health in Serbia) has started multi-annual project of oral rabies vaccination of foxes and other wild carnivores (e.g. jackals), as support of long-term programme of eradication of rabies in Serbia, co-funded by EU (financed by Instrument for Pre-Accession Assistance). Monitoring of the effectiveness of oral vaccination campaigns has been carried out in continuation from 2011 and was based on: (i) post-mortem laboratory examination of brain tissue of target animals (foxes, jackals and other carnivores) by fluorescent antibody test (FAT), (ii) detection of antibodies against rabies virus in serum samples by ELISA and (iii) detection of tetracycline biomarker in the mandibles for the evaluation of vaccine bait uptake. From September 2011 to May 2014, the total number of 4943 brain tissue samples, 4241 sera and 4971 mandibles were analysed. Confirmed rabies-positive brains decreased from 10 in 2011/2012 to 6 in 2012/2013 and eventually to 1 positive case in 2013/2014. The seroconversion rate increased from 10.48% (133/1269) in 2011/2012 to 20.11% (362/1800) in 2012/2013 and 42.23% (495/1172) in 2013/2014. Along with the seroconversion, the number of detected tetracycline-positive mandibles demonstrated an increasing tendency in the same period, being 49.67% (682/1373) in 2011/2012, 62.60% (1294/2067) in 2012/2013 and 90.33% (1383/1531) in the monitoring programme carried out in 2013/2014. Presented results confirmed that ORV of foxes and other wildlife in Serbia against rabies was successful and characterized by steady increase of vaccine baits uptake and immunization of animals.

Daily dietary intake of selenium in eastern Croatia.

Data on the selenium content in the soil and human milk in eastern Croatia indicate a possibility of inadequate Se status of people in the area. In order to determine the daily dietary intake of Se in eastern Croatia, a 7-day duplicate diet study was performed. There were 41 participants (18-53 years old; 14 males and 27 females). Selenium measurement was carried out in a HG-AAS. The average daily Se intake in the area is 27.3 micrograms. A significant difference (P < 0.05) exists between male (32.2 micrograms) and female (24.8 micrograms) participants. Percentage of optimum Se intake shows an inverse association with the increasing age of subjects (r = 0.43; P < 0.01). Relationship between Se intake and intakes of different foods (cereal products, milk and dairy products, meat, fish, etc.) was also examined. The sub-optimal Se intake (RDA is 55 micrograms/day for women and 70 micrograms/day for men) is a reflection of low Se levels in the environment, so supplementation of fertilizers with Se should be considered.

Copper and zinc content in human milk in Croatia.

The aim of this paper was to research whether there had been any statistically significant difference in the content of Cu and Zn in human milk depending on the social status of women (refugee and non-refugee), age, number of deliveries, days after delivery, weight gained by nursing women and smoking habits, as well as whether the infants had received sufficient quantities of these elements. The elements were determined by flame atomic absorption spectrometry. The samples were collected in the Clinical Hospital Osijek and Refugee Centre Nabrde, near Osijek, Eastern Croatia. The Cu in human milk ranged from 0.27 mg/l to 1.35 mg/l, and Zn from 0.62 mg/l to 15.0 mg/l. The mean levels of Cu and Zn for each group, formed according to the results of the questionnaire are presented too. Calculated daily dietary intake of these elements accords with the RDA.

Aluminum levels in human milk.

Aluminium levels in human milk in the winter period of 1992/93 ranged from 0.004 mg/l to 2.67 mg/l and the mean value was 0.38 mg/l. The nursing women were divided into several groups according to the results of a questionnaire, i.e. according to their social status (if they were refugees or not), number of deliveries, post partum day, the weight they put on during pregnancy, their age, and smoking habits. The mean levels of aluminium for each group were presented. The measurement of aluminium was done by graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrophotometry.

Selenium content of breast milk.

Selenium levels in human milk in the winter period ranged from 5.3 micrograms/l to 23.8 micrograms/l, the mean value being 11.0 micrograms/l. The nursing women were divided into several groups according to the results of a questionnaire, i.e. according to their social status (refugees or otherwise), number of deliveries, post partum days, the weight they had gained during pregnancy, their age and smoking habits. The mean levels of selenium for each group are presented. Selenium was determined by hydride generation atomic absorption spectrometry.

[Energy expenditure in workers who install plastic and metal pipes for water supplies and sewage]. / Energetska potrosnja montera plasticnih i metalnih cijevi vanjskog vodovoda i kanalizacije.

The mounting of plastic and metallic water and sewage tubes is the type of work that requires a very high energy expenditure: 45 kJ/min, 9631 kJ for eight working hours and about 17,000 kJ for a working day. Working conditions involve a very demanding working posture, carrying of heavy loads and poor weather conditions. The work is considered to be very heavy physical work.

Ash and chromium levels of some types of honey.

The effect of season and species of plant on the ash and chromium (Cr) content of honey was studied. There were four types of honey: sunflower, acacia, floral and wild floral. In total there were 80 samples. The botanical origin of the honey was determined by microscopic analyses of pollen as well as the organoleptic properties. The Cr content was measured by flame atomic absorption spectrophotometry. The average Cr content in two consecutive seasons for all species was 0.121 microgram/g wet weight, and 0.1515 microgram/g dry weight. For sunflower, acacia, floral and wild floral honey the mean values were 0.103 microgram/g, 0.152 microgram/g, 0.125 microgram/g and 0.098 microgram/g wet weight and 0.1305 microgram/g, 0.1883 microgram/g, 0.1603 microgram/g and 0.1206 microgram/g dry weight, respectively. The average ash content in all 80 samples was 0.141%. There was a statistically significant (P < 0.05) influence of season on the ash content as well as interaction of species and season on the Cr content.

Nutritional status and physical working capacity.

In a population of schoolchildren aged 12-15 years in which biochemical deficiencies of vitamin C, riboflavin and pyridoxine affected 30.0, 33.9 and 17.2 per cent of subjects respectively, a small but statistically significant correlation was found between VO2max and vitamin C, riboflavin, vitamin A, and parameters of iron nutrition status. The administration of tablets containing 70.0 mg ascorbic acid, 2.0 mg riboflavin and 2.0 mg pyridoxine resulted in a statistically significant reduction in prevalence of vitamin deficiency, and in a small but statistically significant increase in VO2max. No such changes were observed in the untreated control groups. When data from both the experimental and control groups were pooled and analysed together, the results showed that the increase in VO2max was associated with an increase in plasma vitamin C level, in erythrocyte riboflavin content and in blood haemoglobin level. On the basis of presented data, it is not possible to conclude whether the increase in VO2max was the result of correction of vitamin deficiency per se or was due to its effect on resorption and utilization of dietary iron.

[Cytomorphologic findings in the diagnosis of intraocular lymphocytic tumors (author's transl)]. / Uber zytologische Befunde maligner Lymphome nach Punktion der Orbita.

Fifteen cases with haemolytic changes in the region of the eye, i.e. ten cases of lymphocytic sarcoma, two cases of M. Hodgkin, two cases with reticulosarcoma and one of acute lymphatic leukosis are presented. With cytologic punctions of the eyelids and of the retrobulbar tissue, typical cytomorphologic findings for above mentioned haemoblastoses were obtained.

[The effect of dipyridamole on coagulation status in stenocardia]. / Efekat dipiridamola na koagulacijski status bolesnika sa stenokardijama.

The laboratory examination of Dipyridamole concerning its antiaggregation effect is presented in the paper. Thirty patients with coronary insufficiency have been taking Dipyridamole for one year. The average dosage was four pills à 75 mg of Dipyridamole a day. The aggregation and adhesion of the platelets with the examined patients was checked before and during the treatment. The inhibition platelet aggregation with Dipyridamole has been confirmed in vitro.