scholarly journals Presence ofLeishmaniaandBrucellaSpecies in the Golden JackalCanis aureusin Serbia

2014 ◽  
Vol 2014 ◽  
pp. 1-6 ◽  
Author(s):  
Duško Ćirović ◽  
Dimosthenis Chochlakis ◽  
Snežana Tomanović ◽  
Ratko Sukara ◽  
Aleksandra Penezić ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Eastern Europe ◽  
Potential Role ◽  
Zoonotic Diseases ◽  
Golden Jackal ◽  
The Caucasus ◽  
Tissue Samples ◽  
Canis Aureus ◽  
The Past ◽  
South Eastern Europe

The golden jackalCanis aureusoccurs in south-eastern Europe, Asia, the Middle East, the Caucasus, and Africa. In Serbia, jackals neared extinction; however, during the last 30 years, the species started to spread quickly and to increase in number. Few studies in the past have revealed their potential role as carriers of zoonotic diseases. Animal samples were collected over a three-year period (01/2010–02/2013) from 12 sites all over Serbia. Of the tissue samples collected, spleen was chosen as the tissue to proceed; all samples were tested forLeishmaniaspecies andBrucellaspecies by real-time PCR. Of the 216 samples collected, 15 (6.9%) were positive forLeishmaniaspecies, while four (1.9%) were positive forB. canis. The potential epidemiologic role of the golden jackal in carrying and dispersing zoonotic diseases in Serbia should be taken under consideration when applying surveillance monitoring schemes.

scholarly journals The golden jackal Canis aureus – a new species in the Baltic countries

Biologija ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 64 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Algimantas Paulauskas ◽  
Irma Ražanskė ◽  
Jana Radzijevskaja ◽  
Dovilė Nugaraitė ◽  
Vaclovas Gedminas
Keyword(s):  
New Species ◽  
Potential Role ◽  
Golden Jackal ◽  
Mitochondrial Dna Control Region ◽  
Canis Aureus ◽  
The Past ◽  
Baltic Countries ◽  
The Baltic ◽  
A New Species

In the Baltic countries, the golden jackal (Canis aureus) was first recorded in Estonia on 28 February 2013 and three specimens of golden jackal were hunted in Latvia in 2014. The first golden jackal in Lithuania was hunted on 7 February 2015. The species of the golden jackal was identified using morphological and mitochondrial DNA control region (CR1) analysis. In Lithuania, hunting of these animals is permitted throughout the year. Few studies in the past revealed the potential role of the golden jackal as a carrier of intestinal helminths, parasites, and zoonotic diseases. In this study, the presence of tick-borne pathogens and other parasites in golden jackal specimen were investigated. No pathogens (Anaplasma phagocytophilum, Babesia sp., Bartonella sp.) were found in the spleen of the golden jackal. However, the flukes Apophallus donicus, nematodes Uncinaria stenocephala, and unidentified individuals of class Cestoda were detected. Helminths A. donicus and U. stenocephala are not new species for Lithuania and neighbouring territories.

Looking for the 'Language' of Recognition among Greek Communities of Georgia

2012 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
pp. 41-59 ◽  
Author(s):  
Eleni Sideri
Keyword(s):  
Cultural Capital ◽  
The Caucasus ◽  
The Past ◽  
Diaspora Politics

The Caucasus was a zone of encounters for centuries, generating images of regional cosmopolitanism in the past. This vision creates expectations for the present, when it is included in the wider discussion about the meanings of cosmopolitanism today, its relation to modern geopolitics, and issues of social and political co-existence and recognition. This essay focuses on two different photographs that belong to different Greek families in Georgia. These photographs represent two different historical experiences of migration and pinpoint different understandings of cosmopolitanism. However, they both seem to stem from specific discourses about diasporas and their cosmopolitan character. The role of language in the construction of these discourses is fundamental. The essay compares photographic representations of the 'Greek Diaspora' in order to trace the perceptions of cosmopolitanism they generate, the cultural capital they carry, and its outcome in relation to Greek diaspora politics.

Acid ceramidase, a double-edged sword in cancer aggression: A minireview

2020 ◽  
Vol 20 ◽  
Author(s):  
Helen Shiphrah Vethakanraj ◽  
Niveditha Chandrasekaran ◽  
Ashok Kumar Sekar
Keyword(s):  
Cell Fate ◽  
Cancer Progression ◽  
Potential Role ◽  
Tumour Progression ◽  
Acid Ceramidase ◽  
The Core ◽  
The Past ◽  
Sphingosine 1 Phosphate ◽  
Key Enzyme

: Acid ceramidase (AC), the key enzyme of the ceramide metabolic pathway hydrolyzes pro-apoptotic ceramide to sphingosine, which by the action of sphingosine-1-kinase is metabolized to mitogenic sphingosine-1-phosphate. The intracellular level of AC determines ceramide/sphingosine-1-phosphate rheostat which in turn decides the cell fate. The upregulated AC expression during cancerous condition acts as a “double-edged sword” by converting pro-apoptotic ceramide to anti-apoptotic sphingosine-1-phosphate, wherein on one end, the level of ceramide is decreased and on the other end, the level of sphingosine-1-phosphate is increased, thus altogether aggravating the cancer progression. In addition, cancer cells with upregulated AC expression exhibited increased cell proliferation, metastasis, chemoresistance, radioresistance and numerous strategies were developed in the past to effectively target the enzyme. Gene silencing and pharmacological inhibition of AC sensitized the resistant cells to chemo/radiotherapy thereby promoting cell death. The core objective of this review is to explore AC mediated tumour progression and the potential role of AC inhibitors in various cancer cell lines/models.

scholarly journals Anti-phospholipid syndrome and COVID-19 thrombosis: connecting the dots

2021 ◽  
Vol 5 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Moon Ley Tung ◽  
Bryce Tan ◽  
Robin Cherian ◽  
Bharatendu Chandra
Keyword(s):  
Endothelial Dysfunction ◽  
Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome ◽  
Potential Role ◽  
Molecular Mimicry ◽  
Thromboembolic Events ◽  
The Past ◽  
High Prevalence ◽  
Connecting The Dots ◽  
Anti Phospholipid Syndrome

Abstract As the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, which is caused by the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), is spreading rapidly worldwide, it has emerged as a leading cause of mortality, resulting in >1 million deaths over the past 10 months. The pathophysiology of COVID-19 remains unclear, posing a great challenge to the medical management of patients. Recent studies have reported an unusually high prevalence of thromboembolic events in COVID-19 patients, although the mechanism remains elusive. Several studies have reported the presence of aPLs in COVID-19 patients. We have noticed similarities between COVID-19 and APS, which is an autoimmune prothrombotic disease that is often associated with an infective aetiology. Molecular mimicry and endothelial dysfunction could plausibly explain the mechanism of thrombogenesis in acquired APS. In this review, we discuss the clinicopathological similarities between COVID-19 and APS, and the potential role of therapeutic targets based on the anti-phospholipid model for COVID-19 disease.

scholarly journals The Role of Gender and Situational Factors in Wine Consumption of Generation Y

2013 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
pp. 53-61 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jasmina Dlačić ◽  
Selma Kadić-Maglajlić
Keyword(s):  
Eastern Europe ◽  
Generation Y ◽  
Situational Factors ◽  
Wine Consumption ◽  
South Eastern ◽  
Factors Influencing ◽  
Research Findings ◽  
South Eastern Europe ◽  
Practical Implications

Abstract The purpose of this study is to analyze the factors influencing wine consumption of Generation Y consumers in the context of two countries from South-Eastern Europe (Bosnia -Herzegovina, and Croatia). Analysis reveals that self-expression, sociability, tradition and food are significant predictors of wine consumption. Multivariate regressions have been applied in order to explain the influences of the abovementioned factors on wine consumption. Research findings show that specific gender and situational differences exist in the wine consumption behaviour of Generation Y. This paper discusses theoretical, empirical and practical implications, and offers ideas for further research

Nitric oxide: a new role in intensive care

2020 ◽  
Vol 22 (1) ◽  
pp. 72-79
Author(s):  
Alexandra Lee ◽  
◽  
Warwick Butt ◽  
◽  
◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Nitric Oxide ◽  
Potential Role ◽  
Nitric Oxide Donors ◽  
Ischaemia Reperfusion Injury ◽  
Surface Receptors ◽  
The Past ◽  
Ischaemia Reperfusion ◽  
Human Experiments ◽  
Endogenous Nitric Oxide

Inhaled nitric oxide has been used for 30 years to improve oxygenation and decrease pulmonary vascular resistance. In the past 15 years, there has been increased understanding of the role of endogenous nitric oxide on cell surface receptors, mitochondria, and intracellular processes involving calcium and superoxide radicals. This has led to several animal and human experiments revealing a potential role for administered nitric oxide or nitric oxide donors in patients with systemic inflammatory response syndrome or ischaemia–reperfusion injury, and in patients for whom exposure of blood to artificial surfaces has occurred.

scholarly journals Cranial variability and differentiation among golden jackals (Canis aureus) in Europe, Asia Minor and Africa

ZooKeys ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 917 ◽  
pp. 141-164 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stoyan Stoyanov
Keyword(s):  
North Africa ◽  
Principal Component ◽  
Distinct Species ◽  
Asia Minor ◽  
Golden Jackal ◽  
Genetic Studies ◽  
The Caucasus ◽  
Linear Discriminant ◽  
Canis Aureus ◽  
Morphological Studies

Golden jackal (Canis aureus) expansion in the last decades has triggered research interest in Europe. However, jackal phylogeny and taxonomy are still controversial. Morphometric studies in Europe found differences between Dalmatian and the other European jackals. Recent genetic studies revealed that African and Eurasian golden jackals are distinct species. Moreover, large Canis aureus lupaster may be a cryptic subspecies of the African golden jackal. Although genetic studies suggest changes in Canis aureus taxonomy, morphological and morphometric studies are still needed. The present study proposes the first comprehensive analysis on a wide scale of golden jackal skull morphometry. Extensive morphometric data of jackal skulls from Europe (including a very large Bulgarian sample), Asia Minor, and North Africa were analysed, by applying recently developed statistical tools, to address the following questions: (i) is there geographic variation in skull size and shape among populations from Europe, Anatolia and the Caucasus?, (ii) is the jackal population from the Dalmatian coast different?, and (iii) is there a clear distinction between the Eurasian golden jackal (Canis aureus) and the African wolf (Canis lupaster sensu lato), and among populations of African wolves as well? Principal component analysis and linear discriminant analysis were applied on the standardized and log-transformed ratios of the original measurements to clearly separate specimens by shape and size. The results suggest that jackals from Europe, Anatolia and the Caucasus belong to one subspecies: Canis aureus moreotica (I. Geoffroy Saint-Hilaire, 1835), despite the differences in shape of Dalmatian specimens. The present study confirmed morphometrically that all jackals included so far in the taxon Canis aureus sensu lato may represent three taxa and supports the hypothesis that at least two different taxa (species?) of Canis occur in North Africa, indicating the need for further genetic, morphological, behavioural and ecological research to resolve the taxonomic uncertainty. The results are consistent with recent genetic and morphological studies and give further insights on golden jackal taxonomy. Understanding the species phylogeny and taxonomy is crucial for the conservation and management of the expanding golden jackal population in Europe.

scholarly journals ‘The skies are empty and the continent is overflowing with insoluble problems’ – The Covid-19 crisis in the western Balkans and the failure of the EU

SEER ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 24 (1) ◽  
pp. 7-18
Author(s):  
Jens Becker ◽  
Ina Kulić
Keyword(s):  
Health Services ◽  
South Korea ◽  
Eastern Europe ◽  
Western Balkans ◽  
South Eastern ◽  
High Incidence ◽  
South Eastern Europe ◽  
Political Realities ◽  
The Eu

Many societies are still in the stranglehold of the coronavirus. China, South Korea and Taiwan have apparently overcome the pandemic but problems that are almost impossible to resolve are piling up in Europe. Despite the joint vaccination procurement campaign, the EU in particular is struggling to regulate the crisis domestically. The states of the western Balkans which have been relying on an EU perspective for years and which have repeatedly been put off, have also been hit hard, piling problems on top of health services that are, for a number of reasons, already seriously jeopardised. In view of the worsening situation - countries in central and south-eastern Europe are over-represented among those with the highest numbers of Covid-19 related deaths - we take a closer look at current practicalities and political realities in these ‘high incidence areas’, as the region is currently known (according to the Ost-Ausschuss der Deutschen Wirtschaft). This article focuses on the role of the EU, and how views of this are changing in the region, as well as that being played by other, apparently more nimble and agile, powers.

scholarly journals Role of Creative Industries in the Post-Socialist Urban Transformation

2014 ◽  
Vol 33 (2) ◽  
pp. 19-35 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tadeusz Stryjakiewicz ◽  
Michał Męczyński ◽  
Krzysztof Stachowiak
Keyword(s):  
Eastern Europe ◽  
Central And Eastern Europe ◽  
Creative Industries ◽  
Urban Transformation ◽  
The West ◽  
Local Networks ◽  
The Past ◽  
Path Dependent ◽  
Basic Features

Abstract Over the past two decades the cities in Central and Eastern Europe have witnessed a wide-ranging transformation in many aspects. The introduction of a market-oriented economy after half a century of socialism has brought about deep social, economic, cultural and political changes. The first stage of the changes, the 1990s, involved the patching up of structural holes left by the previous system. The post-socialist city had to face challenges of the future while carrying the ballast of the past. Rapid progress in catching up with the West transformed the city a great deal. Later on, the advent of the 21st century brought a new wave of development processes based, among other things, on creativity and innovation. Hence our contribution aims to explore the role of creativity and creative industries in the post-socialist urban transformation. The article consists of three basic parts. In the first we present the concept of a ‘creative post-socialist city’ and define the position of creative industries in it. We also indicate some similarities to and differences from the West European approaches to this issue. In the second part, examples from Central and Eastern Europe are used in an attempt to elucidate the concept of a ‘creative post-socialist city’ by identifying some basic features of creative actions /processes as well as a creative environment, both exogenous and endogenous. The former is embedded in different local networks, both formal (institutionalised) and informal, whereas the structure of the latter is strongly path-dependent. In the third part we critically discuss the role of local policies on the development of creative industries, pointing out some of their shortcomings and drawing up recommendations for future policy measures.

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