In 2009 canine filarial infections were investigated in two northern areas of Serbia (Pančevo and Veliko Gradište), applying morphometry, biochemical staining, and immunological kit to detect Dirofilaria immitis antigens, and two home-made ELISAs to detect antibodies to D. repens and D. immitis somatic/metabolic polyproteins. Moreover, molecular tools were applied to analyze the phylogenetic relationships of the isolates. The microfilariae detected in 21/122 dogs (17.2%) were identified as D. repens (n=21) and D. immitis (n=2). D. immitis antigens were found in another 13 animals with occult infection. All of the 15 heartworm-positive dogs also had antibodies to this parasite, which were detected in another 13 subjects, indicating an overall D. immitis seroprevalence rate of 22.9%. Serology for D. repens revealed evidence of antibodies in 42.6% of the dogs, but was negative for 4 microfilaremic dogs. As for the two different areas, the prevalence of microfilariae and/or D. immitis antigens, mainly due to D. repens microfilaremic animals, was not significantly higher in Veliko Gradište (33.3%) than in Pančevo (22%). However, serology showed a different epidemiological picture. Heartworm infection occurred more often in both areas, and antibodies to dirofilarial nematodes were detected in 72.9% of dogs living in Pančevo, a rate higher than in those living in Veliko Gradište (57.1%). No risk factors for infection were found, confirming the uselessness of prophylactic drugs against D. repens, and suggesting the presence in these areas of sunrise- or sunset-biting mosquitoes as important vectors. The results indicate the need for both appropriate entomological studies and further research on the intra-species variability shown by D. repens.
This paper presents the results of an action pedagogical research, conducted within the course Methodical practicum of teaching art with students, future preschool teachers, at the Faculty of Education in Jagodina. The aim of the research is to enhance pedagogical practice regarding practical preparation of students for planning and performing art activities with preschool children. The main focus was on students’ compe- tencies for defining art theme and pedagogical art problem of the activity. The research was based on the assumption that students find it difficult to imagine and extract an art theme from the generalized thematic scope, given by preschool teachers ‒ mentors. By changing this variable, the research tested correctness of the assumption by analyzing quality and correctness of students’ work developed on the basis of art-themed scope, instead of generalized ones. The research took three months of the fall semester in 2020/2021 and included 73 students’ written plans for art activities. Based on this sample, supported with an additional survey students took part in, the analysis resulted in conclusion that imply different factors affecting students’ efficiency regarding their work within Methodical practicum of teaching art course, but evidently supporting primary thesis that art-themed scope of tasks results with significant number of correctly defined art activity themes and problems. The results of the research can be utilized in order to reevaluate and improve methods and approaches to developing students’ competencies to work in the field of art educa- tion with preschool children efficiently by understanding difficult points in students’ learning proces
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.
hi@scite.ai
10624 S. Eastern Ave., Ste. A-614
Henderson, NV 89052, USA
Copyright © 2024 scite LLC. All rights reserved.
Made with 💙 for researchers
Part of the Research Solutions Family.