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The escalating global concern of antimicrobial resistance in human and veterinary medicine is exacerbated by the inappropriate prescription of antibiotics for bacterial infections in companion animals. This study aimed to determine the distribution of coagulase-positive staphylococci causing clinical skin and ear infections in dogs and to determine methicillin-resistant isolates. A total of 78 staphylococcal strains were isolated from clinical samples taken from patients at the Dermatology Clinic at the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine in Belgrade, Serbia. Multiplex PCR was used for species-specific identification, and mecA and mecC genes were used to determine methicillin resistance, in addition to phenotypic determination, MIC values and detection of PBP2a. Out of the 78 samples analyzed, 65.8% were identified as Staphylococcus pseudintermedius, 22.4% as S. aureus, 7.9% as S. coagulans, and 3.9% as S. intermedius. Four S. aureus isolates exhibited methicillin resistance confirmed by cefoxitin disk diffusion, while five were confirmed with MIC testing and latex agglutination. MecA gene was detected in 29.4% of S. aureus and 30% of S. pseudintermedius isolates. These isolates were classified as methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA) and methicillin-resistant S. pseudintermedius (MRSP), respectively. No isolates carried the mecC gene. This study provides insights into the prevalence of CoPS species and methicillin resistance in isolates from dogs. Continued surveillance is essential to monitor and understand the emergence and dissemination of antimicrobial resistance in veterinary medicine and the results of this study accent the need for establishment of a continuous antimicrobial resistance surveillance program in the Republic of Serbia.

In the last ten years, many police organizations around the word have been approaching the implementation of cameras that can be placed on the body of a police officer. By implementing these cameras, police organizations strive to prevent and suppress crime, to improve officer safety, officers' performance and police-community relationship. In September 2023, the Serbian Ministry of Internal Affairs started with the pilot project of implementing body worn cameras (BWC) in two organizational units of the traffic police. The research presented in this paper was carried out before the idea of implementation of BWCs in Serbian police practice was born. The research included police officers from five organizational units of the Ministry of Internal Affairs. The aim of the research was to explore the views and opinions of police officers related to implementation of BWCs. Research results and the authors' conclusions may help the decision-making process related to the BWC implementation in Serbian police practice.

The advent of modern technologies and their implementation into various spheres of human activities, including security, facilitated a faster development of the society, while increasing the risk of human rights violations. In that context, an emerging challenge is how to maximize the use of new technological features while still preserving citizens' rights and freedoms. The application of all measures, actions and tools in police work must be based on the adequate legal framework which clearly regulates the police authorities. Standardizing new police authorities is not an easy task; it requires coordination and finding the right balance between security, law and human rights. This paper addresses the regulation of police authorities in the Police Act of the Republic of Serbia. The authors analyze the operational capabilities of modern technologies and other instruments that may be used in police operations and propose specific normative grounds for their application by defining four new police authorities. The authors point out to the role, significance and use of the proposed new police authorities in future police work, urging that they should be introduced as new legal rules in subsequent amendemnts of the Police Act.

Wild boars are one of the widest-ranging mammals worldwide and represent reservoirs for many important viruses. Disease outbreaks in domestic swine are often described as a consequence of contact with wild boars, and traditional rearing conditions are a particular risk factor. Examples of such diseases include classical swine fever (CSF), African swine fever (ASF), Aujeszky's disease (AD), and diseases caused by porcine circoviruses and parvoviruses. Some viral infections causing high mortality rates are easily noticeable and thus reported, though many viruses infecting wildlife are insidious impacting survival rates and reproduction in wild animals. Samples from wild boars for laboratory testing are usually collected postmortem and include various tissues or blood sera. The recovery of viable viruses during virus isolation depends on the virus species and the condition of the sample. Since this method does not yield timely results, most diagnostic procedures are based on PCR or antigen detection methods. Serological surveys are inexpensive and appropriate for prevalence studies. When interpreting the results of diagnostic tests, both virus and host characteristics, and the epizootiological situation must be accounted for. Disease control techniques such as fencing or feeding wild boars cause animal aggregation and give rise to population density which favors pathogen maintenance in the environment. Hunting reduces the number of susceptible animals and is helpful as an additional control measure and for sampling. Available data on infectious disease dynamics in wild boars is scarce, and constant knowledge improvement on pathogenesis, clinical symptoms, risk factors, and adequate control measures are required.

The bovine respiratory disease complex (BRDC) is multifactorial and results from interactions between host factors, environmental factors, and pathogens. A virus, as an initial pathogen alters the animal's immunity supporting the bacterial colonization of the lower respiratory tract. Bovine herpesvirus 1 (BHV-1), bovine parainfluenza virus 3 (BPIV-3), and bovine respiratory syncytial virus (BRSV) are among the most significant viruses associated with BRDC. The disease most often affects young and older immunosuppressed animals. Laboratory results depend on the selected sampling site of the respiratory tract and proper timing during the period of virus shedding. The samples for testing mostly include nasal or nasopharyngeal swabs, tracheal wash, bronchoalveolar lavage fluid, or necropsy specimens. Virus isolation, although considered as the gold standard, is time-consuming and depends on the virus species and sampling conditions. Most of the virus identification methods used today are molecular assays (conventional and real-time PCR or RT-PCR) that are rapid, sensitive, and specific, which is of the essence in veterinary diagnostic laboratories. DNA sequencing is mostly used to detect specific genetic mutations and for molecular epidemiology of disease outbreaks. Serological diagnosis is performed based on the detection of specific antibody presence after infection of seronegative animals or a 4-fold specific antibody titer rise in paired serum samples. Different assays are available, including virus neutralization, complement fixation, haemagglutination inhibition, and ELISA. The early and reliable diagnosis is beneficial in the management and control of BRDC and is the basis of a timely treatment and prevention program.

Activities aimed at bringing the police closer to the local community and promoting the building of partnerships and common solutions to security problems are referred to as community policing. In the Republic of Serbia, community policing implementation formally started in 2003 through the 'Community Policing' project. After the initial period of implementation, community policing principles were expected to become part of the organizational culture of police organization and a distinctive feature of everyday police practice. Based upon research results presented in this paper, the authors sought to determine to what extent the concept of community policing came to fruition in Serbian police practice and how it works today. The research was directed towards the middle management of the Serbian police, where the sample included all regional police departments in Serbia. The paper concluded that at the time this research was conducted, community policing was not sufficiently implemented in the Serbian police practice, that reactive work still dominated over prevention and proactive work, the organizational structure did not allow greater representation of CP activities, there was a need for additional training of police officers and the legislation which could facilitate partnership between the police and the community was missing.

Background. Coronaviruses (CoVs) have been recognized in veterinary virology for a long time and comprise a large group of RNA viruses responsible for enteric, respiratory, hepatic, and neurologic diseases in a variety of animal species and humans. These viruses are very adaptable considering their highly error-prone replication process and recombination ability, resulting in remarkable mutability and efficient expansion of their host range and tissue tropism. Scope and Approach. In the recent past, after the outbreaks caused by SARS-CoV in 2002 and MERS-CoV in 2012, CoVs became a research focus in the scientific community. Moreover, the ongoing SARS-CoV-2 pandemic raised more questions concerning the threats posed by these viruses. Several significant examples of coronaviruses jumping the species barrier and changing their tropism have been reported in the past, and novel viruses of both animals and humans have appeared as a consequence. This paper reviews some of the examples of CoV mutability and the most notable animal coronaviruses of veterinary relevance. Key Findings and Conclusions. There is still no proof that the novel virus SARS-CoV-2 can be transmitted to humans from domestic animals, and its recent cross-species jump is currently being intensively researched. Intensified and diverse human activities that lead to the disruption of ecosystems contribute to the increased risk of contact with animals that might represent virus reservoirs. The need for constant surveillance of CoVs and expanded studies of their virological traits, mutation mechanisms, diversity, prophylactic and therapeutic measures highlight the key role of both veterinarians and medical doctors in order to preserve the health of the human population.

Police duties related to the suppression of crime make an essential content of the work of the Ministry of the Interior (MoI), and the results achieved in this area represent one of the most important indicators of MoI's efficiency. The fight against crime involves all organizational units of the Ministry, each of them performing tasks under their authorities. The purview of the different police organizational units is different, so their contribution to the fight against crime is also different. General police and crime investigation police (detectives) take measures and actions aimed at combating crime on a daily basis. Other organizational units of the police do this in certain cases, performing primary tasks under their specialisation (e.g., traffic police, border police, etc.). General police is the most numerous composition of the MoI, and through the patrol work they cover the whole state territory. This paper deals with the contribution of the general police in combating crime and points to some problems and possibilities of improving the current state.

Because of the fact that crime is committed in certain locations in geographic space, it cannot be analyzed in isolation from the environment in which it occurs and where its consequences arouse. Understanding where and why crimes took place can improve the outcomes of the activities undertaken in order to prevent them. This is confirmed by a series of empirical studies that suggest that the choice of the crime targets is not random, but is usually influenced by some psychological and spatial characteristics. In this regard, the paper points to the importance of space in shaping criminal behavior. At the same time, there is a lack of knowledge and awareness in the police practice that better knowing spatial context of crime can improve the actions that have been taken daily to counter crime. As a result, information resources contained in the spatial criminal environment remains largely untapped, leading to the lack of the efficiency of police actions.

Background. Equine herpesvirus type 1 (EHV-1) is responsible for respiratory disease in young animals, abortion in pregnant mares and neurological disease, whilst equine herpesvirus 4 (EHV-4) is mainly the causative agent of respiratory disorders and rarely causes abortion. These viruses are considered as one of the most clinically and economically important pathogens of horses and can be detected in a range of tissues. Scope and Approach. Serological methods are used to detect the presence and titre of specific antibodies to EHV-1 and EHV-4 in the sera of examined horses and are useful in epizootiological studies. Commercially available ELISA kits are able to differentiate specific EHV-1 and EHV-4 antibodies. EHV-1 and EHV-4 can both be isolated using susceptible cells such as primary horse cell cultures and other non-equine cells with visible cytopathic effect. Since standard diagnostic methods can be time consuming and arduous, the scope of many studies has been to develop and confirm the sensitivity and specificity of molecular diagnostic methods. Key Findings and Conclusions. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) has proved to be a good screening method for the presence of latent infections of horses caused by these viruses, also making possible the rapid identification and differentiation of EHV-1 and- EHV-4 in the examined samples. Real-time PCR is a sensitive, specific and quantitative method that enables the determination of viral kinetics in infected horses. Genome sequencing can be used to discover mutations in the genomes of EHV-1 and EHV-4 as well as to track the spread of their different strains globally. [Project of the Serbian Ministry of Education, Science and Technological Development, Grant no. TR 31008: Development and application of molecular methods based on polymerase chain reaction (PCR) in quick and direct identification of Newcastle disease virus strains and investigation of immunogenicity of subunit vaccine prepared of their antigens]

Newcastle disease virus (NDV) is one of the most important viral pathogens of avian species and the causative agent of atypical fowl plague, a highly contagious and economically important disease characterized by high mortality rates and reduction of egg production. The HN and F proteins are the main targets for immune response to NDV. Vaccination of poultry with live and inactivated NDV vaccines is the most effective method of control and prevention of Newcastle disease, however due to their disadvantages, efforts are being invested into developing subunit vaccines. To this end, the NDV HN and/or F protein have been expressed using different viruses as vectors, but have also been expressed using transgenic plant systems, yeast and lactic acid bacteria in order to produce the NDV subunit vaccine. Many authors have investigated the possibility of preparation of vaccines from purified and biologically active NDV subunits with HN and F glycoproteins, purified from nucleocapsids, viral ribonucleic acid (RNA) and pyrogens. The above mentioned viral glycoproteins with preserved antigenic structure and biological activities can be used as subunit vaccinal antigens due to their immunogenic properties.

The presence of bovine parainfluenza virus type 3 (BPIV3) was examined in 119 nasal swabs collected from cattle with severe respiratory infection. All samples were conducted for virus isolation on the MDBK cell line. The cytopathic effect was observed after 48h to 72h in cells inoculated with eight samples (8/119; 6.7%). The confirmation of isolated strains of BPIV3 was done by the virus-neutralization test. In addition, all samples of bovine nasal swabs were also examined for the presence of BPIV3 virus using RT-PCR with primers specific for the part of HN gene. The presence of BPIV3 was detected in eight samples (8/119; 6.7%) that were also positive upon virus isolation. The molecular characterization based on nucleotide sequencing of the part of the HN gene showed that all BPIV3 isolates belonged to genotype C of BPIV3. They branched in one distinct cluster with three different branches, but these branches were very similar to each other (98.1% to 99.8%). Serbian BPIV3c isolates were most similar to the Chinese BPIV3c isolates SD0805, SD0809 and SD0835 (from 97.92% to 99.7%), and to South Korean (12Q061), Japanese (HS9) and American (TVMDL16 and TVMDL20) BPIV3c strains (from 97.1% to 98.8%), and distinct from American (TVMDL15and TVMDL17) and Australian (Q5592) BPI3V genotype B strains (only 79.9% to 82.3% similarity), as well as from the genotype A BPIV3 strains from different countries published in GenBank.

The presence of pseudorabies virus (PrV), porcine parvovirus (PPV) and porcine circovirus 2 (PCV2) was examined in sixty samples (spleen and lymph nodes) and thirty samples of sacral ganglia collected from non-vaccinated swine by virus isolation and polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Using PCR method PrV was detected in three samples, PPV in seven samples and six samples were found positive for PCV2. The phylogenetic analysis of the nucleotide sequences of three PrV isolates identified in this study showed high similarity and significant clustering within the PrV genotype I strains such as Kaplan and Bartha isolated from pigs in Hungary, strain Becker isolated in USA and strain Kolchis isolated in Greece. The nucleotide sequences of two PPV isolates showed high level of similarity with the strain Challenge isolated from pigs in UK, strain Kresse isolated in USA and strains 77 and LZ isolated in China. The phylogenetic analysis of the nucleotide sequences of two PCV2 isolates showed high level of similarity and significant clustering within genotype PCV2b strains such as NIVS-3, NIVS-5 and NIVS-6 isolated in Serbia, strain 3959 isolated in Austria, strain PM165 isolated from pigs in Brasil, and strain XT2008 isolated in China. The results of our study present the molecular characterization of PrV, PPV and PCV2 identified in swine in Republic of Montenegro. Besides that, these results confirmed that PCR is a very useful method for rapid detection of these viruses in subclinically infected swine.

The presence of porcine circovirus 2 and porcine parvovirus was examined in forty clinical samples of spleen, lymph nodes and lungs originating from non-vaccinated swine by polymerase chain reaction. All animals were reared in extensive livestock farming systems in different geographical districts of Republic of Srpska, Bosnia and Herzegovina. Porcine circovirus 2 DNA was detected in four lymph node and two spleen samples (15%), while porcine parvovirus DNA was identified in five lymph node samples (12.5%). The presence of both viruses was detected in three lymph node samples (7.5%). Partial nucleotide sequence of ORF1 gene of 2 porcine circovirus 2 and VP2 gene of 2 porcine parvovirus isolates was determined. The nucleotide sequences of two PCV2 isolates from RS-BIH included in phylogenetic typing are similar and cluster together with the strain Mantova isolated from domestic pigs in Italy, strains DE006-14 and DE222-13 isolated from pigs in Germany as well as with the strain Jvnan isolated from pigs in China. Also, analyzed PCV2 isolates were partially similar to the strain NIV-C SRB isolated from pigs in Serbia. The nucleotide sequences of two PPV isolates that were included in phylogenetic typing showed a high level of similarity with the strain Challenge isolated from pigs in UK, strain Kresse isolated from pigs in USA and strains 77 and LZ isolated from pigs in China.

The objective of our research was to examine the influence of different adjuvants on immunogenicity of vaccine against parainfluenza 3 virus in cattle. In the research there was used the commercial vaccine Respi-ol against PI3 virus in cattle, produced by VZS from Subotica as well as the experimental vaccine against the same virus prepared with completed adjuvant Emulsigen. The research was performed on two experimental groups of 12 calves each. The animals were immunized twice, in the interval of 21 days. The third group of 6 calves was a control. The results of the research showed that a smaller amount of adjuvent Emulsigen per vaccine dose provided a satisfactory height of titre of virus neu­tralizing antibodies in the blood serum samples of vaccinated calves in regard to prescribed greater amount of standard oil adjuvant contained in commercial Respi-ol vaccine.

Porcine circovirus 2 (PCV2) belongs to the family Circoviridae, genus Circovirus. Infection of swine caused by this virus is manifested in several different clinical forms, leading to significant economic losses in swine production worldwide. For this reason, prompt and precise diagnostics of this swine infection is of great importance. For this purpose today there are used molecular methods of virological diagnostics such as polymerase chain reaction (PCR), and real-time method PCR, that is direct sequencing method by Sanger.

Viral infections of swine cause significant economic losses in swine husbandry. They manifest in death of infected animals of different ages or in decreased productivity during the manufacturing process. Having that in mind, rapid and reliable diagnostics of viral infections is crucial in the prevention of disease transmission in herds of swine. Today, virological laboratories all over the world use different diagnostic methods such as isolation of virus in cell lines, ELISA, virus neutralization test, direct and indirect immunofluorescence and hemagglutination and hemagglutination inhibition tests. Virus isolation, virus neutralization test and some other standard virological methods are time consuming and rather expensive, therefore, molecular methods such as conventional PCR, RT - PCR, real-time PCR and direct sequencing methods are applied worldwide as fast and reliable. Their application is especially necessary for the detection of viruses which cannot be identified by using standard virological methods.

The objective of our work was to investigate some biological characteristics of purified glycoprotein subunits of Newcastle disease virus strain PHY-LMV.42 isolated from pigeons for the purpose of vaccine production. PHY-LMV.42 strain of Newcastle disease virus was multiplied by successive passages in embryonated eggs and identified by the methods of Reverse transcriptase PCR and Real-Time PCR along with F gene sequencing. Proving the presence of HN and F antigene in the virus subunits samples was carried out by hemagglutination inhibition method with referent immune sera. Biochemical characterization of glycoprotein subunits was performed by SDS-PAGE method as well as liquid chromatography with mass spectrometry (LC ESI-TOF-MS/MS). Testing for the virus subunits immunogenicity was carried out in biological experiment on 75 laying hens Tetra-SSL and 25 chickens Isa Brown by inducing an artificial infection with Hertz 33 strain of the virus. Low concentrations of the virus antigens of 0.36 mg/ml along with glycoprotein fractions of 77 i 58 kDa manifested a strong hemagglutination activity of 4096 HJ/0,1ml. The subunit vaccines of 256 and 128 HJ/0.5 ml induced a protective immune response in all the vaccinated animals. Based on the obtained results it can be concluded that low concentrations of purified virus subunits of PHY-LMV.42 strain can be used for preparing of effective vaccines. [Projekat Ministarstva nauke Republike Srbije, br. TR 31008: Development and application of molecular methods based on polymerase chain reaction (PCR) in quick and direct identification of Newcastle disease virus strains and investigation of immunogenicity of subunit vaccine prepared of their antigens]

Crime does not occur randomly. It tends to concentrate at particular places for reasons that can be explained in relation to victim and offender interaction and the opportunities that exist to commit crime. If the police knew where crime is concentrated (where are the hotspots) resources could be directed in order to take proactive actions. In order to identify hotspots, spatial distributions of crimes should be examined. Patterns in data must be identified, and underlying (spatial) processes must be understood in order to be effective in crime prevention. This could be achieved using spatial analysis techniques. In cases where spatial distribution is not complex and visually overwhelming the simple 'eyeball method' should be sufficient. But in cases where spatial distribution of a large number of crimes (events) is present, the spatial statistics is needed. Spatial statistics help cut through some of the subjectivity to get more directly at spatial patterns, trends, processes, and relationships. Today, the most commercial GIS solutions already have more or less developed statistical capabilities. In cases where built-in GIS statistical capabilities are not sufficient to satisfy particular research need, they must be supplemented by specialized statistical software. An example of the usage of spatial statistics is shown on the practical example using commercial robberies dataset in one of Belgrade's municipalities. The crime distribution is assessed using centro graphic measures (mean center, center of minimum distance, standard deviation ellipse). Centro graphic measures allows us to visualize a complex spatial trend, how quickly the mean center moves, and where it moves, is there changes in dispersion and/or orientation of the crime distribution etc., providing valuable information about the spatial processes promoting this crime shifts. The level of clustering was assessed calculating nearest neighbor index and finally clusters (i.e. hotspots) were identified using kernel density tool. Kernel density maps provide a realistic and accurate image of the location and shape of the hot spot distribution. In order to achieve complete understanding of the dynamics of crime activity at the hot spots, the analysis of spatial distribution isn't enough. Spatial analysis should be accompanied with analysis of time distribution of crimes at hot spots. This paper concludes that spatial analysis and spatial statistics techniques must be used in everyday crime mapping efforts aimed to provide analytical support to police decision making from tactical to strategic level.

A great deal of time and effort has been invested in trying to understand crime, most notably examining why some people engage in criminal behavior and others do not. Theories which place offenders in the center of their research focus have dominated in criminology for a long time. However, in recent decades theoretical approaches whose focus is space and time where victims (targets) and offenders converge during the commission of the offense, increasingly come to the fore. These approaches, which all share common interest in understanding how the environment shapes criminal activity, belong together under the umbrella of what is called environmental criminology. Environmental criminology seeks to explain how the environment affects the creation of crime opportunities and offender decision making regarding committing crime, in an attempt to establish patterns of offender's and victim's behavior in relation to environment (space) where they meet and where the offense is executed. In addition to highlighting the essential characteristics of different theoretical approaches that now constitute the environmental criminology (e.g. routine activity theory, rational choice theory, crime pattern theory, CPTED etc.), this paper also shows how situational (micro) context of the crime came into the focus of theoretical thinking about crime. In this context, the paper starts from the ideas of the so called. Cartographic and Chicago School and design theorists, in the aftermath of World War II, who inspired the research about crime and place that lead to the emergence of the environmental criminology in the early 80's of last century. By providing a significant contribution to understanding the dynamics of performing criminal activities, theoretical approaches of the environmental criminology are significant factor in designing effective methods in combating (preventing) crime today. Practical application of crime prevention through environmental design, situational crime prevention, hotspot policing, geographic profiling, etc., confirms this.

Five strains of Newcastle disease virus (NDV) were obtained from poultry in Vojvodina, Serbia during the outbreaks in 2006 and 2007. These isolates were confirmed and genotypically characterized by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) with primer specific to the viral fusion (F) protein (572bp), and by sequencing of partial F gene for phylogenetic analysis. Phylogenetic analysis showed that all five isolated strains of Newcastle disease virus belong to genotype VII. At the same time, all five isolates were clustered in NDV subtype VIId. The examined NDV isolates express high similarity to each other (99.7-100%) and group together with the strains of Newcastle disease virus isolated previously from wild birds in Serbia during the same 2006 - 2007 outbreak. The analysis of the isolates F gene cleavage sites has shown that all five isolated strains of Newcastle disease virus had a cleavage site motif 112R-R-Q-K-R-F-117 characteristic for highly virulent, velogenic strains. [Projekat Ministarstva nauke Republike Srbije, br. 31008 i br. 31084]

The objective of this work was to identify isolated Staphylococcus species and to investigate their sensitivity to some antibacterial drugs. The material used for these investigations were Staphylococcus isolates originating from milk samples. A total of 25 strains of Staphylococcus isolates were examined, including 24 from milk samples from cows with mastitis, and one strain was isolated from a milk sample from a cow following treatment for mastitis. For primary identification, catalase and oxidase tests were used, as well as the free coagulase test. Following the preliminary tests, the isolated strains were identified using commercial systems ID32 STAPH (bioMérieux, France) and the BBL Crystal Gram-Positive ID Kit (Becton Dickinson, USA) according to the enclosed instructions. The Staphylococcus isolates were examined for sensitivity to the following: oxacillin, penicillin, cefoxitin, gentamicin, erythromycin, chloramphenicol, tetracycline, ciprofloxacin, sulfametoxazol/trimetoprim, and vacomycin using the disk diffusion method and the broth microdilution method as recommended by the Clinical and Laboratory Strandards Institute - CLSI(2003), and the results were interpreted according to CLSI recommendations from 2008 and 2010. Antibiogram disks manufactured by Becton Dickinson (USA) were used, and the broth microdilution method was applied using pure antibiotic substances from different manufacturers: erythromycin, chloramphenicol, cefoxitin, gentamicin, oxacillin, tetracycline (Sigma Aldrich, USA), sulfametoxazol (Fluka, USA), penicillin (Calbiochem, Germany), vancomycin (Abbott laboratories, USA), ciprofloxacin and trimetoprim (Zdravlje A.D., Serbia). All 25 strains were catalase positive and oxidase negative. Of the 25 strains, 19 were coagulase positive and 6 were coagulase negative.With the implementation of the disk diffusion method on 19 strains of S. aureus, 17 were established to be resistant to penicillin (89.5%), and 2 strains to gentamicin (10.5%). The investigation of 3 strains of S. xylosus using the disk diffusion method showed that one strain was resistant to tetracycline (33.3%) and to oxacillin (33.3%), while another strain was found to be resistant to penicillin (33.3%). The third strain of S. xylosus was sensitive to all the examined antibiotics. Two strains of S. simulans and one strain of S. haemolyticus were not found to be resistant to any of the examined antibiotics using the disk diffusion method. The implementation of the broth microdilution method yielded in 13 strains of S. aureus resistance to penicillin (68.4%) with MIC values from 0.5 to 4 μg/m, in 2 strains to gentamicin (10.5%) with MIC values of 32 μg/ml, and intermediary sensitivity to chloramphenicol was established in 9 strains of S. aureus (47.4%) with MIC values of 16 μg/ml and to vancomycin in 1 strain of S. aureus (5.3%) with MIC values of 4 μg/ml. [Projekat Ministarstva nauke Republike Srbije, br. br 31079]

Examinations were performed on 65 samples of nasal smeas taken from calves and young cows with clinical symptoms of respiratory infection to determine the presence of the bovine herpes virus 1 using parallel implementation of molecular and standard methods of virological diagnostics. The appearance of a cytopathogenic effect (CPE) was not established in inoculated cell lines 24h, 48h and 72h following inoculation, or after two successive passages of the examined material sample through these cell lines. The application of polymerize chain reaction (PCR) using a primer for glucoprotein B and thymidine - kinasis, established the presence of bovine herpes virus 1 nucleic acid in one sample of a bovine nasal smear, while the presence of this virus was established in three samples in an examination of the nasal smear samples using the Real-Time PCR method.

A total of 92 samples of bovine blood serum were examined for the presence of antibodies against the bovine respiratory syncytial virus using indirect immunoenzyme probe - iELISA. Specific antibodies against the bovine respiratory syncytial virus (BRSV) were established in 46, or 50% blood serum samples. Investigations of the 92 blood serum samples of cattle for the presence of antibodies against the parainfluenza virus 3 (PI 3), revealed their presence in 77, or 83.69% of the samples, and the presence of antibodies against the bovine herpesvirus 1 (BHV 1) was established in 19, or 20.65% of the samples.

Comparative investigations of the sensitivity and specificity of the indirect immunoenzyme probe - iELISA and the hemagglutination inhibition test (HI test) in serological diagnostics of the Newcastle disease in poultry were carried out using samples of blood serum taken from non-vaccinated and vaccinated poultry. A total of 14 samples of blood serum from non-vaccinated poultry were examined using the immunoenzyme probe - iELISA, and nine of these were found to be positive to the presence of specific antigen against the Newcastle disease virus, while two samples were suspect, and no presence of specific antibodies was established in three samples. Examinations of 82 samples of blood serum from vaccinated poultry for the presence of specific antibodies against the Newcastle disease virus established their presence in 80 serum samples, while one sample was suspect and one sample was negative. The values of the titer of specific antibodies in blood serum samples of vaccinated and non-vaccinated poultry established using the hemagglutination inhibition test (HI test) ranged from 1:2 to 1:32.

The resistance of bacteria poses a significant problem everywhere in the world, and consequently in our country as well. The non-critical use of antibacterial medicines in human and veterinary medicine has contributed to the spreading of this resistance. Due to the topical importance of this problem, large numbers of states in the world are financing projects of which the objective is to follow and monitor bacterial resistance. The objective of this investigation was to isolate and identify pathogenic strains of E. coli from piglets with clinically manifest diarrhea and to examine the sensitivity of the isolated strains to a certain number of selected antibiotics. The material for these investigations were parts of intestines (jejunum, ileum) from piglets that died, rectal smears and feces of diseased piglets sampled pig farms in the vicinity of Belgrade. Conventional methods of microbiological diagnostics were used for isolation, and conventional and commercial tests API 20E (bio Merieux, France) were used for identification. Following biochemical identification using hyper immune serums for certain group (O) antigens: (O8, O138, O139, O147, O149, and O157), the serological typization of the strains was carried out. Commercial antiserums: T K88 (F4), K99 (F5), and 987P (F6), Toxigenic E. coli pili antisera, Denka Seiken Co. Ltd. Tokyo, Japan) were used to establish the presence and to identify fimbrial antigens-adhesions through slide agglutination reaction. The sensitivity of the antibiotics to the isolated strains of E. coli was examined using the disc diffusion method according to Kirby Bauer and the microdillution method in bouillon according to CLSI recommendations (2008). Examinations using the microdillution method in bouillon were performed with pure active antibiotic substances: ampicillin, apramycin, gentamicin, kanamycin, tetracycline, ceftriaxone, and ciprofloxacin (Sigma, USA). A total of 400 E. coli strains were isolated, including 48 E. coli strains that are within the category of pathogenic strains. Out of the total number of pathogenic strains of E. coli, 32 (66.67%) were found to be multi resistant to 3 or more than 3 antibiotics, and 16 (33.33%) pathogenic strains of E. coli were resistant to 2 or 1 of the examined antibiotics. Resistance to tetracycline and ampicillin was established in 89.58% isolated strains of E. coli, and to ciprofloxacin in 37.5% strains. The lowest percentage of resistance to ceftriaxone was established in 4.17% strains of E. coli. The isolated strains of E. coli were also found to be resistant to certain amino glycosides antibiotics. Thus, resistance to apramycin was established in 18.75% strains whose MIC values were higher than 128 µg/mL. Resistance to kanamycin was established in 52.08% strains of E. coli, and in these, 96.00% strains showed MIC kanamycin values of over 256µg/mL. Resistance to the third amino glycosides antibiotic, gentamicin, was established in 33.33% E. coli strains. All the E. coli strains that led to diarrhea in piglets were resistant to at least two antibiotics, and more than 50% strains were found to be resistant to more than 3 antibiotics. It is significant to stress that all isolated strains of E. coli covered by these investigations were sensitive only to amikacyn. .

In addition to the implementation of standard methods of virological diagnostics used for the isolation of the Newcastle disease virus from suspect material, as well as for its identification, nowadays there is increasing use of molecular diagnostic methods, primarily reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and the sequencing method. The objective of this work was to examine possibilities for the implementation of the above methods in the diagnosis of poultry infection caused by the Newcastle disease virus. The presence of hem agglutination antigens for the Newcastle disease virus was established in samples of allantoises liquid from 62 poultry embargoed eggs 72 h after inoculation, whose titers ranged from 1:16 to 1:2048, while the hem agglutination inhibition test (HI test) with the implementation of a referent immuno serum against the given cause provided the identification of isolated viruses in serum dilutions of 1:128 to 1:1024. The RT-PCR method and the PCR established that in eight examined samples one fragment each of viral RNA is formed in agars gel of a size of 254bp, which is characteristic for the Newcastle disease virus genome according to its nucleotide sequence. On the grounds of a comparative analysis of RNA sequences obtained from eight isolated NDV strains and the genome sequences of referent atypical poultry influenza viral strains using Mega 40 and BLAST programmers, it was established that the isolated strains of the Newcastle disease virus were highly virulent.

Parvoviral infection of swine is a disease which is manifested in reproductive disorders in sows and gilts in the form of anestria, premature births, miscarriages, mummified fetuses, the birth of poorly vital piglets and/or a reduced number of piglets in the litter. The infection is present in farms with intensive breeding conditions in the form of an endemic infection, all over the world, and also in our country. Timely diagnostics and adequate prophylaxis prevent the occurrence and spread of this disease. Experimental investigations covered 21 sows, divided into two experimental and a third, the control, group. Animals of the first experimental group were vaccinated once before exposure to the boar using an inactivated vaccine, Porcilis Parvo, and animals of the second experimental group were vaccinated twice at an interval of 3 weeks, also using an inactivated vaccine, Parvovax. Sows of the control group were not vaccinated. Blood samples were taken from all animals four times during the course of the experiment, and specific antibodies against the swine parvovirus were determined using the method of hemagglutination inhibition (HI test). The results of the investigations indicate that there was an increase in the titre of specific antibodies following the vaccination of persistently infected sows with the swine parvivirus, and that the present antibodies did not prevent the creating of an immune response. It was established following a comparison of the geometric mean values of antibody titres of vaccinated sows that there was a significant increase in the antibody level following the two vaccinations using the Parvovax vaccine, against the titre values in sows vaccinated once with the Porcilis Parvo vaccine. In control animals, the average value of the antibody level was many times lower in comparison with the established values in the experimental groups. This provides justification for the implementation of immunoprophylaxis against swine parvovirosis by the vaccination of sows and gilts before mating using inactivated vaccines.

The objective of our investigations was to examine the hemadsorption characteristics of glycoprotein HN and F antigens of the outer membrane of the parainfluenza 3 virus. Six hours following inoculation of the cell line with the Vero virus PI3, previously activated with 0.025 g/dl trypsinversen, the appearance of less intense hemadsorption was established in antigen dilutions of 1:2 and 1:4. Hemadsorption was established in the mentioned cell lines also 12 h after inoculation in virus dilutions of 1:8 and 1:16, while 24 h following inoculation, hemadsorption was present also in a virus dilution of 1:64. Inhibition of hemadsorption in inoculated cells with immune serum dilutions of 1:16 was established 24 h after inoculation of the cell line with Vero samples of the virus PI3, activated with trypsinversen and with the addition of specific immune serum. .

The objective of these investigations was to examine the hemadsorption characteristics of glycoprotein HN and F antigens of the Newcastle Disease virus envelope. Six hours following inoculation of the cell line with the Newcastle Disease Vero virus, previously activated with 0.025 g/dl trypsin-versene, the appearance of hemadsorption was established in a smaller intensity in antigens diluted in ratios from 1:8 to 1:16. Hemadsorption was also determined in the mentioned cell lines 12 hours following inoculation in viruses diluted 1:64, while hemadsorption was present in virus dilutions of 1:256 after 24 hours. Inhibition of hemadsorption in inoculated cells with immune serum dilutions of 1:64 was established 24 hours following inoculation of the cell line with Vero samples of the Newcastle Disease virus, activated with trypsin-versene and the addition of specific immune serum.

Equine herpesvirus 1 (EHV-1) causes considerable economic loss to the equine industry and is spread among susceptible animals during the cycles of latency and reactivation, causing rhinopneumonitis, abortion, and neurological disease. Nucleotide polymorphisms within ORF30 and ORF68 sequences of the viral genome are associated with strain neuropathogenicity and geographical origin. A total of 142 tissue and nasal swab samples from apparently healthy unvaccinated horses were examined to ascertain EHV-1 distribution, diversity, and clinical significance considering the results of virus isolation, sequence analysis, and anamnestic data. The ORF30 and ORF68 molecular study of these circulating strains and archival isolates from abortion storms aimed to contribute to the perception of strain pathogenicity and origin. EHV-1 was detected by PCR and virus isolation in 81 and 45.1% of the analyzed samples, respectively, and 82.1% of the representative samples were neuropathogenic strains. The ORF68-based grouping was restricted by the pronounced polymorphism of Balkan EHV-1 strains, and only two isolates were assigned to group 4. The cases of abortion were caused by neuropathogenic strains that also circulate within the horse population with no documented outbreaks of disease. It was evident that strain virulence is not solely accountable for the development of clinical symptoms in affected animals. Neural tissue is significant for virus latency and reactivation, considering the number of EHV-1 isolates from apparently healthy stressed horses. Special care must be taken when accommodating together immunologically naive and latently infected horses since asymptomatic carriers silently shed EHV-1. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Moodle is a widely deployed distance learning platform that provides numerous opportunities to enhance the learning process. Moodle's importance in maintaining the continuity of education in states of emergency and other circumstances has been particularly demonstrated in the context of the COVID-19 virus' rapid spread. However, there is a problem with personalizing the learning and monitoring of students' work. There is room for upgrading the system by applying data mining and different machine-learning methods. The multi-agent Observer system proposed in our paper supports students engaged in learning by monitoring their work and making suggestions based on the prediction of their final course success, using indicators of engagement and machine-learning algorithms. A novelty is that Observer collects data independently of the Moodle database, autonomously creates a training set, and learns from gathered data. Since the data are anonymized, researchers and lecturers can freely use them for purposes broader than that specified for Observer. The paper shows how the methodology, technologies, and techniques used in Observer provide an autonomous system of personalized assistance for students within Moodle platforms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The presence of equine herpesviruses 1, 2 and 5 (EHV-1, EHV-2 and EHV-5) was examined in 66 samples of spinal cord, submandibular lymph nodes and spleen of healthy, non-vaccinated abattoir horses from different locations in the Republic of Serbia. Virus isolation was conducted on RK-13 cell line with the confirmation of isolated viral strains by multiplex nested polymerase chain reaction. The cytopathic effect was observed 48-72 h after the first inoculation in 28 (42.4%) organ samples, and after 5 days in 11 other samples (16.7%) that were all confirmed as EHV-1. Four other samples (6.1%) that showed cytopathic effects on day 5 of the third passage were all positive for EHV-5. Additionally, EHV-1, EHV-2, and EHV-5 were directly detected in all organs by multiplex nested PCR in 46 (69.7%), 3 (4.5%), and 7 (10.6%) samples, respectively. The molecular characterization based on nucleotide sequencing of the part of the gB gene showed that Serbian EHV-1 isolates were 100% homogenous and clustered with EHV-1 strains from Turkey, the United Kingdom, the United States, and Japan. The EHV-2 strain from Serbia branched together with Turkish EHV-2 isolates with homogeneity from 96% to 98%. Serbian EHV-5 strains can be separated in one distinct cluster with isolates from Turkey and the United States with homogeneity from 98 to 99%. These data represent the first report of the molecular characterization of EHV-1, EHV-2, and EHV-5 in the horse population of the Republic of Serbia and document the first successful isolation of Serbian EHV-5 strains. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Avian paramyxoviruses type 1 or Newcastle disease viruses (NDV) are frequently recovered from wild birds and such isolates are most frequently of low virulence. Velogenic NDV are usually recovered from poultry and only occasionally from wild birds. Five NDV isolates were obtained from carcasses of four wild bird species during 2007 in Serbia: Mallard (Anas platyrhynchos), Eurasian Sparrowhawk (Accipiter nisus), feral Rock Pigeon (Columba livia), and Eurasian Collared Dove (Streptopelia decaocto). All the isolates have a typical fusion protein cleavage site motif of velogenic viruses ((112)R-R-Q-K-R-F(117)). The highest homology (99%) for the nucleotide sequences spanning the M and F gene of the studied isolates was with the genotype VII NDV isolate Muscovy duck/China(Fujian)/FP1/02. Phylogenetic analysis based on a partial F gene sequence showed that the isolates from wild birds cluster together with concurrent isolates from poultry in Serbia within the subgenotype VIId, which is the predominant pathogen involved currently in Newcastle disease outbreaks in poultry worldwide. It is unlikely that the wild birds played an important role in primary introduction or consequent spread of the velogenic NDV to domestic poultry in Serbia, and they probably contracted the virus from locally infected poultry.