No abstract

The aim of this study was to investigate the protective effects of oestradiol (E2, 4 mg kg -1 b.w. i.p.) against cadmium-induced (Cd, 2 mg kg -1 b.w. i.p.) blood changes in rats. Cadmium induced a significant decline in haemoglobin, haematocrit, and total erythrocyte, lymphocyte, and thrombocyte count, whereas total leukocytes and granulocytes increased. A significant increase was also observed in serum cholesterol, triglycerides, glucose, AST, and ALT activities, whereas total protein and albumin levels dropped significantly. Administration of E2 in combination with Cd alleviated most of these adverse effects. In terms of oxidative stress, Cd significantly increased oxygen-free radicals (O 2•-and H 2 O 2 ) in neutrophils and lipid peroxidation in erythrocytes, whereas E2 treatment reversed these changes to control values. Acute Cd poisoning significantly lowered antioxidant enzyme (SOD and CAT) activity and the level of non-enzymatic antioxidants (GSH and vitamin E), while increasing in GSSG. Treatments with E2 reversed Cd-induced effects on the antioxidant defences and significantly lowered Cd-induced oxidative damage in erythrocytes. This study suggests that exogenous E2 effectively restores redox balance in rat erythrocytes and counters adverse haematological and biochemical effects of Cd poisoning. It also improves the antioxidant capacity of erythrocytes, acting in synergy with endogenous antioxidants.

In the present investigation, we examined the cytotoxic effect of methanolic extract from Origanum vulgare on HCT-116 and MDA-MB-231 cell line in vitro. In order to determine the cytotoxic effects we used an MTT viability assay. The results showed that cell growth is significantly lower in extract treated cells compared to untreated control. The effect of inhibition of cell growth was higher in the treatment of HCT-116 cell line than in MDA-MB-231. Based on the results it is determined that O. vulgare is a significant source of biologically active substances that have cytotoxic and antiproliferative activity in vitro.

The aim of the paper is to determine the possibilities for improving rural tourism on the mountain Goč, as well as how this type of tourism can affect the quality of life of the rural population in this area. The methods used in this paper include fieldwork and cabinet research. The survey was carried out on random sample by sending a questionnaire via e-mail. The research involved 150 respondents. Mountain Goč has resources for the development of rural tourism. It is necessary to improve the quality of accommodation capacities and the quality of additional content of rural tourism. The development of rural tourism on the mountain Goč can have favorable impacts on the quality of life of the rural population.

The purpose of this paper is to analyze the impact of the Information and communication technology (ICT) on the competitiveness of the republics of former Yugoslavia (Serbia, North Macedonia, Montenegro, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia and Slovenia) as tourism destinations. This paper relies on the correlation analysis and panel regression method. Regression analysis has examined the impact of the ICT on the competitiveness of the republics of Former Yugoslavia (Serbia, North Macedonia, Montenegro, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia and Slovenia) as tourism destinations. The destination competitiveness is measured by international tourist arrivals and international tourism receipts, while the ICT is measured by the ICT Development Index (IDI). The results indicate that the IDI use has a significant impact on the number of international tourist arrivals and an indirect positive impact on the international tourism receipts. The originality of the research lies in the fact there are no previous studies about the impact of ICT on the competitiveness of the republics of former Yugoslavia as tourism destinations. This study contributes to a better understanding of the impact of ICT on the competitiveness of a tourism destination by linking the IDI with tourist arrivals and tourism revenues.