Browsing by Author "Markovic, Zoran"

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Effects of 12-week medicine ball training on muscle strength and power in young female handball players
(2012) Ignjatovic, Aleksandar; Markovic, Zoran; Radovanovic, Dragan
The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of medicine ball training on the strength and power in young female handball athletes. Twenty-one young female handball players (age, 16.9 ± 1.2 years) were randomly assigned to experimental and control groups. Experimental group (n = 11) participated in a 12-week medicine ball training program incorporated into the regular training session, whereas controls (n = 10) participated only in the regular training. Performance in the medicine ball throws in standing and sitting positions, 1 repetition maximum (1RM) bench and shoulder press, and power test at 2 different loads (30 and 50% of 1RM) on bench and shoulder press were assessed at pre- and posttraining testing. The athletes participating in the medicine ball training program made significantly greater gains in all medicine ball throw tests compared with the controls (p<, 0.01). Also, the experimental group made significantly greater gains in bench and shoulder press power than control group (p<, 0.05). Both training groups (E) and (C) significantly (p<, 0.05) increased 1RM bench and shoulder strength, with no differences observed between the groups. Additionally, medicine ball throw tests showed stronger correlation with power tests, than with 1RM tests. These data suggest that 12-week medicine ball training, when incorporated into a regular training session, can provide greater sport-specific training improvements in the upper body for young female handball players. © 2012 National Strength and Conditioning Association.
Graphene oxide size and structure pro-oxidant and antioxidant activity and photoinduced cytotoxicity relation on three cancer cell lines
(2019) Markovic, Zoran; J, Svetlana; Mašković, Pavle; Mojsin M.; Stevanovic, Milena; Danko, Martin; Micušík M.; Jovanovic, Dragana; Kleinová A.; Spitalsky, Zdenko; Pavlović, Vladimir; Todorović Marković, Biljana
© 2019 Elsevier B.V. Photoactive materials called photosensitizers can be used for treatment of different types of cancer in combination with light source. In this paper, we have investigated pro-oxidant and antioxidant potentials of four graphene based nanomaterials (graphene oxide-GO, graphene quantum dots-GQDs, carbon quantum dots-CQDs and N-doped carbon quantum dots-N-CQDs) depending on the presence/absence of visible light source. Structural and optical properties of these materials and their potentials for reactive oxygen species generation/quenching are investigated by applying different microscopy and spectroscopy techniques (transmission electron microscopy, FTIR, UV–Vis, photoluminescence, electron paramagnetic resonance). Results show that all types of quantum dots has pro-oxidant and antioxidant potentials whereas GO demonstrated only moderate antioxidant effect. The best free radical scavenger is CQDs sample in the absence of light. CQDs are the best singlet oxygen generator under blue light irradiation as well. To check photo-cytotoxicity of these materials, photo-cytotoxic concentrations of the GO, GQDs, CQDs and N-CQDs were determined for three cellular lines: human rhabdomyosarcoma (RD), cell line derived from human cervix carcinoma Hep2c (HeLa) and fibroblast cell line from murine (L2OB). Cytotoxicity test has indicated that all samples are much less photocytotoxic than cis-diamminedichloroplatinum (cis-DPP). The production method and doping of quantum dots affect the photodynamic activity of tested samples very much.
Influence of resistance training on cardiorespiratory endurance and muscle power and strength in young athletes
(2011) Ignjatovic, Aleksandar; Radovanovic, Dragan; Stanković R.; Markovic, Zoran; Kocic J.
The purpose of this study was to investigate the influence of additional resistance training on cardiorespiratory endurance in young (15.8±0.8 yrs) male basketball players. Experimental group subjects (n=23) trained twice per week for 12 weeks using a variety of general free-weight and machine exercises designed for strength acquisition, beside ongoing regular basketball training program. Control group subject (n=23) participated only in basketball training program. Oxygen uptake (VO2max) and related gas exchange measures were determined continuously during maximal exercise test using an automated cardiopulmonary exercise system. Muscle power of the extensors and flexors was measured by a specific computerized tensiometer. Results from the experimental group (VO2max 51.6 ± 5.7 ml.min -1.kg-1 pre vs. 50.9±5.4 ml.min-1. kg-1 post resistance training) showed no change (p>0.05) in cardiorespiratory endurance, while muscle strength and power of main muscle groups increased significantly. These data demonstrate no negative cardiorespiratory performance effects on adding resistance training to ongoing regular training program in young athletes. © 2011 Akadémiai Kiadó, Budapest.
Ithytrichia Eaton, 1873 (Hydroptilidae: Trichoptera): A genus new for the entomofauna of Serbia
(2015) Stojanović, Katarina; Živić, Ivan; Žnidaršić T.; Zivić M.; Zunic M.; Simić, Vladica; Markovic, Zoran
During field work carried out in 2003, 2004, 2007, and 2011, larvae of the genus Ithytrichia (Trichoptera, Hydroptilidae) were identified as part of a benthic macroinvertebrate survey. Specimens of Ithytrichia lamellaris Eaton, 1873 were collected from independent localities in four rivers of Eastern and Central Serbia, namely the Black Timok, Mlava, Morava, and Western Morava. For the fauna of Serbia, three species within the family Hydroptililae were known up to now: Hydroptila vectis, Hydroptila sparsa, and Agraylea multipunctata. This is the first record of Ithytrichia larvae in watercourses of Serbia (Danube basin). Analysis of the environmental data indicates that I. lamellaris is a typical eurythermic species which inhabits slightly alkaline waters rich in dissolved oxygen, with a moderate organic load and abundant aquatic vegetation.
Large graphene quantum dots alleviate immune-mediated liver damage
(2014) Volarevic, Vladislav; Paunovic, Verica; Markovic, Zoran; Simovic Markovic, Bojana; Misirkic Marjanovic, Maja; Todorović Marković, Biljana; Bojic, Sanja; Vucicevic, Ljubica; J, Svetlana; Arsenijevic, Nebojsa; Holclajtner-Antunović J.; Milosavljevic, Milos; Dramicanin, Miroslav; Kravic-Stevovic, Tamara; Ćirić, Darko; Lukic, Miodrag; Trajkovic, Vladimir
© 2014 American Chemical Society. We investigated the effect of large (40 nm) graphene quantum dots (GQDs) in concanavalin A (Con A; 12 mg/kg i.v.)-induced mouse hepatitis, a T cell-mediated liver injury resembling fulminant hepatitis in humans. Intravenously injected GQDs (50 mg/kg) accumulated in liver and reduced Con A-mediated liver damage, as demonstrated by histopathological analysis and a decrease in liver lipid peroxidation and serum levels of liver transaminases. The cleavage of apoptotic markers caspase-3/PARP and mRNA levels of proapoptotic mediators Puma, Noxa, Bax, Bak1, Bim, Apaf1, and p21, as well as LC3-I conversion to autophagosome-Associated LC3-II and expression of autophagy-related (Atg) genes Atg4b, Atg7, Atg12, and beclin-1, were attenuated by GQDs, indicating a decrease in both apoptosis and autophagy in the liver tissue. This was associated with the reduced liver infiltration of immune cells, particularly the T cells producing proinflammatory cytokine IFN-γ, and a decrease in IFN-γ serum levels. In the spleen of GQD-exposed mice, mRNA expression of IFN-γ and its transcription factor T-bet was reduced, while that of the IL-33 ligand ST2 was increased. The hepatoprotective effect of GQDs was less pronounced in ST2-deficient mice, indicating that it might depend on ST2 upregulation. In vitro, GQDs inhibited splenocyte IFN-γ production, reduced the activation of extracellular signal-regulated kinase in macrophage and T cell lines, inhibited macrophage production of the free radical nitric oxide, and reduced its cytotoxicity toward hepatocyte cell line HepG2. Therefore, GQDs alleviate immune-mediated fulminant hepatitis by interfering with T cell and macrophage activation and possibly by exerting a direct hepatoprotective effect.
New records of Thremma anomalum (Trichoptera: Uenoidae) from Southeastern Europe with notes on its ecology
(2013) Živić, Ivan; Stojanović, Katarina; Simić, Vladica; Zivić M.; Žikić V.; Markovic, Zoran
Distribution of Thremma anomalum was well documented by the late 1980s. However, macrozoobenthos research within Serbian watercourses between 1989 and 2010 reveal a shift of the western boundary of the distribution. Recent research in western Serbia and northern Montenegro has shown no trace of this species, in spite of its previous presence. In Bosnia and Herzegovina, the species was found in only one of ten former localities, implying that the species might entirely vanish from zoographic region 5 in the near future. On the other hand, the species was found at 17 localities in eastern, southeastern and southern Serbia, sections of the area where the species was not recorded earlier. This research has shown that T. anomalum is not restricted to cold waters and builds specific biocenoses characterized by dominance of Trichoptera and Gammaridae.
Photo-induced antibacterial activity of four graphene based nanomaterials on a wide range of bacteria
(2018) Markovic, Zoran; J, Svetlana; Mašković, Pavle; Danko, Martin; Micušík M.; Pavlović, Vladimir; Milivojević D.; Kleinová A.; Spitalsky, Zdenko; Todorović Marković, Biljana
© 2018 The Royal Society of Chemistry. Due to controversial reports concerning antibacterial activity of different graphene based materials it is very important to investigate their antibacterial action on a wide range of Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria. In this paper we have investigated the structure induced phototoxic antibacterial activity of four types of graphene based materials: graphene oxide (GO), graphene quantum dots (GQDs), carbon quantum dots (CQDs) and nitrogen doped carbon quantum dots (N-CQDs). Antibacterial activity was tested on 19 types of bacteria. It is found that nanometer-size CQDs and N-CQDs are the most potent agents whereas micrometer-size GO has very poor antibacterial activity. Electron paramagnetic resonance measurements confirmed photodynamic production of singlet oxygen for all types of used quantum dots. Detailed analysis has shown that N-CQDs are an excellent photodynamic antibacterial agent for treatment of bacterial infections induced by Enterobacter aerogenes (E. aerogenes), Proteus mirabilis (P. mirabilis), Staphylococcus saprophyticus (S. saprophyticus), Listeria monocytogenes (L. monocytogenes), Salmonella typhimurium (S. typhimurium) and Klebsiella pneumoniae.