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Glycogen synthase kinase-3 (GSK-3) is a highly evolutionarily conserved and ubiquitously expressed serine/threonine kinase, an enzyme protein profoundly specific for glycogen synthase (GS). GSK-3 is involved in various cellular functions and physiological processes, including cell proliferation, differentiation, motility, and survival as well as glycogen metabolism, protein synthesis, and apoptosis. There are two isoforms of human GSK-3 (named GSK-3α and GSK-3β) encoded by two distinct genes. Recently, GSK-3β has been reported to function as a powerful regulator of various transport processes across the cell membrane. This kinase, GSK-3β, either directly or indirectly, may stimulate or inhibit many different types of transporter proteins, including ion channel and cellular carriers. More specifically, GSK-3β-sensitive cellular transport regulation involves various calcium, chloride, sodium, and potassium ion channels, as well as a number of Na+-coupled cellular carriers including excitatory amino acid transporters EAAT2, 3 and 4, high-affinity Na+ coupled glucose carriers SGLT1, creatine transporter 1 CreaT1, and the type II sodium/phosphate cotransporter NaPi-IIa. The GSK-3β-dependent cellular transport regulations are a part of the kinase functions in numerous physiological and pathophysiological processes. Clearly, additional studies are required to examine the role of GSK-3β in many other types of cellular transporters as well as further elucidating the underlying mechanisms of GSK-3β-mediated cellular transport regulation.

The exposure of heavy metals in the Drenas site-Kosovo has risen dramatically in the last 30 years because of mining and smelting activities. The study investigated the heavy metal in soil, accumulation in different parts of apple trees near the industrial sites of Drenas. The accumulation ratio values of heavy metals were calculated to assess the potential health risks. The mean concentrations of the heavy metals in the soil were in the following order of magnitude Ni > Zn > Fe > Cr > Cu > Pb > Cd > As, while that in the apples were in the order of magnitude Ni > Cr > Fe > Cu > Pb > Zn > Cd > As, in the leaves-Fe > Zn > Cu > Cr > Ni > Pb > Cd > As and in the shoots-Zn > Fe > Cu > Cr > Ni > Pb > Cd > As. Compared to control, the contents of analyzed metals from plant tissues of apple trees in the contaminated area were significantly higher (p<0.001). The concentration of Ni, Pb, Cr, Fe etc. in the apple tissue increased along with the heavy metal content in soils in the polluted area. The high accumulation ratio values for Pb (1.1), Cd (0.62), Cr (0.93) and Ni (0.46) were characteristic for the investigated species and indicate the accumulation ability.

Abstract. The concentration of lead in blood and tibia (Pb), zinc (Zn) and cupper (Cu) in tibia, blood δ -aminolevulinic acid dehydratase (ALA-D; EC: 4.2.1.24) activity, hematocrit value (Hct) and micronuclei frequency (MN) of peripheral erythrocytes have been determinated in three different populations of feral pigeons (Columba livia; forma urbana and forma domestica), collected in Mitrovica town (situated close to smelter "Trepça", down closed in 2000 year ) and in rural area (Koshare willage ) . The blood lead level in feral pigeons from Mitrovica (forma urbana) was 3 times higher (149.6; 50.5 µg%) in comparison with that in feral pigeons from Mitrovica (forma domestica) and 27.7 times higher (5.4 µg% in comparison with pigeons from rural area. The Pb concentration of tibia of feral pigeons (froma urbana and forma domestica), from Mitrovica town was significantly higher (P<0.001) in comparison with control. The concentration of Zn in tibia of feral pigeons from Mitrovica town (forma urbana), was significantly higher (P<0.006) in comparison with control. The blood ALA-D activity of feral pigeons from Mitrovica town (forma urbana and froma domestica), was significantly inhibited in comparison with control. The blood ALA-D activity of feral pigeons -forma urbana from Mitrovica town was significantly inhibited (P<0.001) in comparison with the blood ALA-D activity of feral pigeons-forma domestica from Mitrovica town. The erythrocyte MN frequency of feral pigeons from Mitrovica was significantly higher (P <0.001) in comparison with controls. The smelter "Trepça" ten year after closed down pose a threat to the local environment, biota and people's health.

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