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Drosophila suzukii, spotted wing drosophila, is recognized as an economically significant new invasive pest of stone and, especially, berry fruits. This pest has been registered on the EPPO-A2 quarantine list. Due to the limited presence of natural predators on the European continent, this pest quickly proliferates, posing a significant threat to the agricultural economy by causing substantial losses in fruit production. As D. suzukii infestations commonly occur during the ripening stage, the main obstacle with chemical control methods is the risk of high residue in fruits. To face this issue, it is crucial to explore alternative control strategies. One of the possible effective methods involves the use of plant-derived bioactive compounds. Currently, there is ongoing research to identify essential oils with potential insecticidal properties for combating this challenge. The objective of this study was to assess the insecticidal and behavioural impacts of anise (Pimpinella anisum L.) essential oils on D. suzukii adults in a multiple-choice test using blueberries treated with three concentrations of the anise essential oil. Additionally, the study monitored the emergence of adults from the treated berries. Using GC-MC chromatography, Bošković et al. the chemical composition of anise essential oil was determined, in order to understand the possible mode of action. The essential oil of anise showed high efficacy in the multiple choice test, since a lower number of laid eggs was recorded at all three application concentrations (1%, 5% and 10%) compared to the control (water and acetone). Our findings suggest that anise essential oil can serve as an alternative to chemical insecticides, which would enable the use of bioinsecticides based on this oil, in conventional, integrated, and organic crop production. more...

The acronym ESG refers to environmental, social and governance (ESG) factors of cooperative governance, which have gained significant importance in recent years as investors, stakeholders and businesses increasingly recognize their importance. ESG factors can affect a company's performance through financial outcomes, risk management, reputation and long-term sustainability, etc. Companies that perform well on ESG criteria can be more attractive to investors and stakeholders concerned about long-term sustainability and responsible business practices. Moreover, many stock exchanges and regulatory bodies around the world encourage or require companies to disclose their ESG performance to promote transparency and accountability. The research in this paper is focused on the analysis of the impact of ESG factors of sustainable development on the company's profitability. The research focuses on the company DELHAIZE Serbia DOO Belgrade in the period 2020-2022. years. For data collection, reports on the company's sustainable development and available data on APR from the balance sheet and income statement were used. The analysis used the method of multiple linear regression. The empirical results of this research showed that business operations aligned with ESG factors of sustainable development has a positive effect on the company's profitability indicators. more...

Background/Aim. The fundamental objective of primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) in myocardial infarction is to provide early, complete, and sustained flow in the occluded artery that has led to myocardial ischemia or necrosis. The aim of this study was to determine the predictive power of a combination of GRACE, SYNTAX I, and SYNTAX II scores in predicting major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) and one-year mortality in patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) and non-STEMI (NSTEMI) after primary PCI. Methods. The study included 400 patients who had their first acute myocardial infarction and underwent PCI. The patients were treated and followed for one year at the Clinical Hospital Center Zvezdara at the Department of Interventional Cardiology. By monitoring the defined clinical parameters, a comparative analysis of risk scores GRACE, SYNTAX I, and SYNTAX II was performed. Their sensitivity, specificity as well as predictive possibilities in predicting adverse outcomes were determined. Results. The incidence of MACE in our sample was 12.8%. Patients with STEMI entity had significantly higher values of GRACE, SYNTAX I, and SYNTAX II scores. The highest value for predicting the occurrence of MACE was shown by the SYNTAX II score (score value 29.3), with a sensitivity of 88.2% and a specificity of 76.8%. The GRACE score was a significant predictor of SYNTAX I and SYNTAX II scores. A two-way correlation was observed between the high score values of all three scores. Conclusion. The presented scores for the assessment of clinical and angiographic indicators showed good predictive power in assessing the outcome of adverse cardiovascular events in both clinical entities of acute myocardial infarction during one-year follow-up. By using the proposed scores to assess MACE, we can single out high-risk patients in order to prevent adverse events and reduce mortality. This suggests its suitability for clinical use in this patient population. more...

Mixtures of two or more pesticides are very common in contemporary agriculture. However, changes in their efficacy or biological activity, such as synergism and antagonism, phytotoxicity, persistence, toxicity to non-target organisms, may occur as a consequence. This study was conducted in order to evaluate the compatibility of insecticides (cyantraniliprole - Exirel, chlorantraniliprole - Coragen 20 SC), a fungicide (captan - Merpan 50 WP) and a foliar fertilizer (Folia Stim Mix TE), as well their mixtures, in spray liquids, depending on water quality (well water from two locations in Serbia - Mala Remeta and Čerević). These products are used to control the most significant peach pests, and as an additional source of nutrients. Water analysis (pH, hardness, electroconductivity, chloride, nitrate, nitrite, ammonia, calcium and iron content) and tests of physico-chemical properties of the spray liquids (pH, suspensibility, dispersibility, surface tension, and electroconductivity) were performed in a laboratory experiment according to standard methods. The physico-chemical properties of the liquids changed depending on water quality and components incorporated in the mixture. However, all tested spray liquids showed consistency and compatibility over a period of 24 hours. more...

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Introduction: Acute coronary syndrome manifests as STEMI and NSTEMI acute myocardial infarction (AIM). Adverse cardiovascular events include: heart failure, nonfatal reinfarction, recurrent angio pain, rehospitalization, and mortality. The SYNTAX score is an angiographic indicator that is a predictor of adverse events after AIM. The aim of this study was to determine the significance of Syntax score as a predictor of adverse outcomes in patients after acute myocardial infarction. Method: A retrospective study was conducted at the Zvezdara Clinical Hospital in Belgrade in the Department of Interventional Cardiology, by analyzing medical documentation for the period January - March 2020. 80 patients of both sexes, aged 30 to 80, were examined and hospitalized for myocardial infarction. The monitored parameters were: socioepidemiological data, SYNTAX score, adverse events (recurrent infarction, revascularization, stroke and mortality). Results: Of the 80 respondents included in the study, 32.5% were female and 67.5% male. 75% of them had STEMI and 25% NSTEMI entity. The average age of the patients was 61.7 years. Adverse events one year after hospitalization were present in 40% of patients with STEMI, namely: reinfarction in 6.7%, revascularization in 23.3%, stroke in 1.7% and lethal outcome in 8.3% of patients. SYNTAX score is low in 24 patients (40%) with STEMI myocardial infarction and high SYNTAX score in 25 subjects (41.6%). Conclusion: The SYNTAX score as a predictor of adverse outcomes is extremely important for clinical practice and follow-up of patients after acute myocardial infarction. more...

Background/Aim. Interatrial conduction time is early marker of disturbed impulse propagation in adult with elevated blood pressure. The aim of our study was to evaluate significance of noninvasive echocardiographic marker of slow sinus impulse propagation (atrial conduction time) for the identification of persons with slightly elevated blood pressure and hypertension in adults. Methods. One hundred and forty nine adults with normal and elevated blood pressure were studied: 46 normotensive adults (group 1), 28 adults with elevated blood pressure and hypertension stage 1 (group 2) and 75 adults with hypertension stage 2 (group 3), based on the Joint National Committee 8 (JNC-8) hypertension guidelines. We studied P wave dispersion, reservoir function of the left atrium (LA), total emptying volume of the LA and total emptying fraction of the LA (LATEF). The atrial conduction time (ACT) was evaluated by the pulsed tissue Doppler, and expressed as interatrial and intraatrial conduction time. Results. The LATEF decreased progressively from the group 3 (64.8 ± 4.4%) to the group 2 (59.8 ± 5.2%) and the group 1 (55.6 ± 7.3%) (p < 0.001). The P wave dispersion (55.1 ± 9.8 ms vs. 46.8 ± 3.1 ms vs. 43.1 ± 2.6 ms; p < 0.01) and intra ACT were significantly prolonged only in the group 3 compared to the other groups (22.7 ± 11.0 ms vs. 8.4 ± 4.7ms vs. 5.6 ± 2.4 ms, respectively; p < 0.001). Inter ACT significantly increased from the group 1 to the group 2 and the group 3 (15.6 ± 3.9 ms vs. 24.6 ± 5.7 ms vs. 50.4 ± 20 ms, respectively; p < 0.05). Using a cut-off level of 19.5 ms, inter ACT could separate adults in the group 2 from the group 1 with a sensitivity of 85%, and specificity of 89% [area under receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve 0.911]. Conclusion. Prolonged ACT estimated with the tissue Doppler may be useful for identification persons with slighty elevated blood pressure, and hypertension stage 1. more...

During July 2018, the first clinical case of neurological West Nile virus (WNV) infection was reported in a Belgian sports mare in Belgrade, Serbia. Typical symptoms, such as hypersensitive skin reaction, disorientation, weakness, ataxia and the loss of equilibrium were reported. Detection of WNV IgM antibodies by commercial ELISA in the serum samples of the diseased mare strongly indicated acute infection. The ELISA positive results were confirmed by VNT. Hematological and biochemical parameters were in the reference range. The only finding was a minor lymphopenia. WNV RNA was not detected by RT-qPCR in the blood sample extracted seven days after the disease had broken out. The horse improved clinically in two weeks while other horses at the same premises remained asymptomatic. The clinical, serological, biochemical and molecular analyses applied confirmed the first clinical case of neuroinvasive WNV infection in horses in Serbia. The West Nile virus has been circulating in Serbia in the last decade in mosquitoes, birds, and horses, but no evidence of equine WNV clinical cases were registered so far. more...

Infection of cattle with lumpy skin disease virus (LSDV) is very important from the aspect of livestock production. Although it can cause significant economic losses, available serological assays are still not sufficiently efficient and reliable. A 3-day VNT was performed using Madin-Darby bovine kidney (MDBK) cell line and LSDV isolated from clinically infected cow to improve serological diagnostics of lumpy skin disease (LSD). more...

The topic of the research is connecting multiple areas of pedagogical and educational work during realisation of activities in five fields of students' practical work with pre-school children. The goal of the research is assessment of the extent to which the students plan the integration of movements, application of movement activities and activation of the locomotor system during preparation for the realisation of the five methodical areas. 144 students' preparations were analysed, all from applied, professional, obligatory courses that students of pre-school teacher colleges attend in their second and third years of bachelor studies. It has been established that there was an integration of content, but not of action, as well. In anticipating one's own work as a prerequisite for stimulation and development of movement activities in children, students do not integrate the content and practice to a sufficient degree. more...

Background/Aim. Dental status and oral hygiene habits are poor in young population living in deprived socioeconomic conditions. The aim of this research was to ascertain oral hygiene habits in adolescents attending high schools in urban area, determine the incidence of tooth loss at the age of 15–16 years and the gender difference. Methods. The epidemiological cross-sectional study included 234 randomly selected high school students. The research instruments were questionnaire (focusing on socio-demographic characteristics, habits, attitudes and behavior related to general and oral health) and clinical examination (tooth loss, normative need for prosthodontics restorations and presence of restorations). Results. Gender-related data comparison revealed that 32.5% of girls and 8.1% of boys had at least one tooth extracted (p < 0.05). Also, 56.2% of girls and 75.7% of boys brushed their teeth twice a day. Caries complications were identified as the indication for tooth extraction in 82.8% of participants. The data analysis confirmed the correlation between gender and tooth loss as well as treatment needs. Tooth loss was correlated with oral hygiene habits and reasons for dental visits. Treatment need was also affected by the reasons for tooth extraction and the absence of adequate prosthodontics therapy (p < 0.05). Conclusion. Sociodemographic conditions significantly influenced the number of participants with extracted teeth. A prosthodontic treatment need was influenced by the reasons for tooth extraction, adolescents’ knowledge about the importance of adequate treatment and previous unpleasant experience. more...

Introduction: During the course and development of diverse cardiological diseases different central nervous system complications may develop. These are most frequently related to the nature of the cardiovascular entity itself. Aim: To evaluate the association between atherogenesis factors and border zones strokes within the cerebral medial artery vascularization territories. Methods: In total 30 patients were enrolled in the study. Stroke diagnosis was based according to clinical and neurological examination and brain CT findings. The study analyzed risk factors correspondingly to World Health Organization criteria. Results: In majority of patients (18; 60%) arterial hypertension was diagnosed. Additionally, following condition and risk factors were identified: cardiological diseases (17; 23.3%), cigarette smoking (13, 43.3%), hypercholeterolaemia (9; 30%) and diabetes (7; 23.3%). In the group with cardiological diseases most frequent was myocardial infarction (9; 56.2%), AV block II and III (5, 29.4%), atrial fibrillation with slow ventricular response (3; 17.6%). Conclusion: Results of the study point to conclusion that myocardial infarction, AV block II and III, atrial fibrillation with slow ventricular response, iatrogenic hypertension and traditional risk factors for atherogenesis significantly influences presentation of the border zone strokes within the cerebral medial artery vascularization territories. more...

Budget users are entrusted with financial assets for doing successful business activity. The aforementioned financial assets are owned by the Republic of Serbia, and the proper budget appropriation is distributed to the users. The entry into the 21st century started with the reform of the public finance system, with the aim of joining the European Union. Following international standards, there was a reform in the presentation of balance sheet positions, and increased transparency in the work of state institutions. The paper deals with the basics on which the balance of the financial assets of the budget users begins, thus gaining insight into their specificity of business. In carrying out their activities, state institutions or budget users come into business relations with business entities. In such cash-flows, while respecting the principles of orderly balancing, financial results that is true and, therefore, of importance for the state apparatus can be shown. more...

Plesiomonas shigelloides, a Gram-negative bacterium and the causative agent of intestinal diseases and extraintestinal infections in humans and animals, is most frequently found in aquatic environments in tropical or subtropical areas. The present study was designed to establish the prevalence and genetic variability of P. shigelloides in surface waters (lakes, rivers, ponds, inlets and canals) located in a temperate climate zone, namely the Pannonian Plain of the northern part of Serbia and southern part of Hungary. The strains were isolated directly by plating samples on inositol-brilliant green-bile agar with neutral red or phenol red as indicators. Our results indicate that phenol red effectively facilitates differentiation of P. shigelloides from other bacteria. A number of samples were enriched using alkaline peptone water broth, peptone inositolbile broth and tetrathionate broth. The recovery of the isolates was more successful with the first medium. Out of a total of 51 water samples collected from 28 different locations, 22 samples (43.1%) were found positive for P. shigelloides. Among the 37 isolated strains, 34 were from lakes (Šatrinci, Ludaš, Panonija, Krivaja, Pecs, Kapetanski rit, Pavlovci, Kovacsszenaja, Dobrodol, Vranjaš, Borkovac, Hermann Otto, Sot, Šelevrenac, Zobnatica, Palić, Orfui, Jarkovci, Čonoplja) and 3 were from rivers (Danube, Sava). The strains were identified by phenotypic characteristic or by the VITEK2 system and confirmed by PCR using 23S rRNA species-specific oligos. The strains showed a high genetic variability, displaying a variety of RAPD profiles. Our results reveal for the first time a high prevalence of genetically diverse P. shigelloides populations in surface waters located in the temperate climate of central and southeastern Europe. [Project of the Serbian Ministry of Education, Science and Technological Development, Grant no. OI 172058] more...

During 2015/2016, fecal and intestinal samples from live diseased and/or dead pigs with suspected PEDV and/or TGEV and signs of rotavirus infection were collected from in total seven different farrow-to-finish swine farms located in Northern Serbia region (Vojvodina Province). A total of 14 samples (2 pools per farm) of small intestine with fecal content were submitted to laboratory molecular investigation (multiplex RTPCR). On these farms the clinical signs included the occurrence of diarrhea in suckling and weaned piglets, with weak or no response to the applied antimicrobial therapy. The epidemic of severe diarrhea affecting pigs of all ages on one farrow-to finish swine farm was detected in January 2016. Watery diarrhea in all swine categories was associated with vomiting and a reduction in feed consumption. Diarrheic, gaunt and dehydrated piglets, covered with feces were found in 90% litters. The disease affected most severely the suckling piglets, and the mortality in newborn piglets was up to 35%. In the weaned piglets and fatteners the mortality was up to 2.5% and 1.2%, respectively. The PEDV RNA was detected in pooled feces and samples of small intestines derived from diseased and dead suckling piglets from only one investigated farm. The PEDV positive samples showed to be negative for rotavirus group A and TGEV. The transport vehicles were identified as the main possible route of PEDV introduction. This is the first report demonstrating the presence of PEDV in Serbia. more...

Background/Aim. Factors determining the risk of Lyme disease (LD) may be followed in terms of the type of habitat. The evaluation of the risk of Borrelia burgdorferi (B. burgdorferi) transmission in humans on Ixodes ricinus (I. ricinus) tick habitats is done by means of the ecological risk index, which determines the tick habitat, abundance and infection rate. The aim of this paper was to determine the value of ecological risk index (potential and actual risk – PR and AR) on green areas in 9 pаrks in Belgrade and establish the correlation of this index with tick bites in humans. Methods. Ticks were collected in parks by means of the flag hour method and examined for the presence of LD cause in dark-field microscopic analysis. Point values were assigned to certain parameters and potential and actual risk index evaluated for each habitat. The data on tick bites from the surveyed habitats were obtained from the Protocol of patients bitten by ticks of the Sector for Preventive Medicine, Institute of Epidemiology, Military Medical Academy in Belgrade. Analysis of variance (ANOVA), Tukey test and Pearson ´s coefficient were used in statistical analysis of data. Results. In Belgrade´s park habitats a high PR of B. burgdorferi transmission was determined, while AR for 4 habitats was categorised as PR, and limited for other 5 habitats. Statistically, in terms of AR values the following habitats were significantly different (p < 0.05): Hаjd Pаrk and Tаšmаjdаn; Hаjd Pаrk and Kаlemegdаn; Hаjd Pаrk and Pionirski Pаrk; Hаjd Pаrk and Bаnovo Brdo; Topčider and Tаšmаjdаn; Topčider and Kаlemegdаn; Topčider and Pionirski Pаrk; Topčider and Bаnovo Brdo Park. A statistically significant correlation (p < 0.05) between bites of adults and the number of bites of infected adults with the AR value was established. Conclusion. In parks of Belgrade, there is a limited AR of B. burgdorferi transmission on the average. The AR values vary from limited to the potential, depending on the ecological features of habitat, the number of collected ticks and their infection rate. In view of the correlation of AR with the bites in humans, this index is significant for assessing LD risk. more...

Good ecological and chemical status of water represents the most important aim of the Water Framework Directive 2000/60/EC, which implies respect of water quality standards at the level of entire river basin (2008/105/EC and 2013/39/EC). This especially refers to the control of pesticide residues in surface waters. In order to achieve the set goals, a continuous monitoring program that should provide a comprehensive and interrelated overview of water status should be implemented. However, it demands the use of appropriate analysis techniques. Until now, the procedure for sampling and quantification of residual pesticide quantities in aquatic environment was based on the use of traditional sampling techniques that imply periodical collecting of individual samples. However, this type of sampling provides only a snapshot of the situation in regard to the presence of pollutants in water. As an alternative, the technique of passive sampling of pollutants in water, including pesticides has been introduced. Different samplers are available for pesticide sampling in surface water, depending on compounds. The technique itself is based on keeping a device in water over a longer period of time which varies from several days to several weeks, depending on the kind of compound. In this manner, the average concentrations of pollutants dissolved in water during a time period (time-weighted average concentrations, TWA) are obtained, which enables monitoring of trends in areal and seasonal variations. The use of these techniques also leads to an increase in sensitivity of analytical methods, considering that pre-concentration of analytes takes place within the sorption medium. However, the use of these techniques for determination of pesticide concentrations in real water environments requires calibration studies for the estimation of sampling rates (Rs). Rs is a volume of water per time, calculated as the product of overall mass transfer coefficient and area of the receiving phase exposed to the external environment, and it is substance specific. more...

By shifting the focus of research from the child to the study of educational practice in the context of a specific setting, time, people and their relationships, significant observations have been made regarding the importance of these dimensions, their possible changes, and their influence on children's development. Young children live in the moment, and the experiences they are exposed to within contextual dimensions affect their understanding and experience of the world, which highlights the need to assess the extent to which the students of the Higher Professional School for the Education of Preschool Teachers in Novi Sad have been sensitized to recognize and assess the importance of each dimension of context. The data were collected in the academic year 2015-16 through systematic observation during students' practical training as part of a course from the elective nursery school module. The students' reports show that they understood the theoretical framework which they referred to in their assessment of contextual dimensions. In the study, particular attention was devoted to students' understanding of their role in the construction, verification and improvement of each dimension. Students do not feel sufficiently prepared for such activities and believe that they need practical experience. Since this is one of the ways in which they acquire practical experience in the course of their undergraduate studies, we recommend that compulsory and elective courses provide students with additional exposure to observations on the importance of space, time and interaction, that students be supported in developing a creative approach and in understanding their personal contribution to the introduction of changes. more...

The military doctrine has been developed as a system of doctrine based on the Doctrine of the Serbian Armed Forces. The documents of a lower hierarchical level have an organizational character (service doctrines and rules of units) and a functional character (doctrines from J-1 to J-9 and documents derived from them to the level of various guides). The Doctrine of the Serbian Armed Forces is the basis for all doctrinal documents of a lower hierarchical level, and this basis follows the Doctrine of Operations as the main document at the first level of doctrinal documents. Experiences from the implementation of doctrinal documents in practice indicate that in the system of adopted doctrine there are inconsistencies and contradictory attitudes on the same issues, which are particularly manifested in the process of operational planning of military operations. The operational framework represents a significant content of the operational planning process and it includes the organization of forces in space and time in relation to one's own and the enemy intentions, and for practical reasons it is considered at an operational and tactical level of the operational planning process. This paper considers the impact of the operational environment on the operational framework, the theoretical and practical aspect of the operational framework and elements of the operational framework by comparative method and method of analysis of the contents of doctrinal documents. more...

By using biological assay in the laboratory were tested quality and impact of the water to the selected test plants: buckwheat (Fagopyrum esculentum) and cabbage (Brassica oleracea). Water was analyzed from two locations from the River Douro in Portugal. Physico-chemical analysis of general parameters in the water samples indicate that electrical conductivity and ammonium were detected in values exceeding MAC, according to Portuguese regulations on water quality. Also, in the analyzed samples of water in quantities that exceed the maximum allowable concentration values are: arsenic (As), selenium (Se), iron (Fe), magnesium (Mg). In tested samples several pharmaceuticals were detected. The obtained results indicate differences in tolerance of the test plants towards the quality of water. Physiological parameters (germination energy and germination) are not good indicators of water quality and more reliable can be considered some morphological traits (length, fresh and dry weight of root and shoot), that reacted in inhibition or stimulation, depending on water quality. more...

Infectious bovine rhinotracheitis/infectious pustular vulvovaginitis (IBR/IPV) are diseases that affect cattle population of all breeds, categories and age. Both diseases, especially infectious bovine rhinotracheitis (IBR), poses severe health threat and causes major economic losses and is considered one of the “most costly” disease in cattle industry. The causal agent of the disease is a virus and any detection of IBR/IPV specific antibodies in non-vaccinated cattle, either in blood or milk, indicates that animal is infected and represents the source of infection. Countries with developed and intensive cattle breeding have been developed and implemented their national eradication programs to control IBR/IPV in accordance with international regulations. In this article, we outlined the needs and program for the eradication of IBR/IPV in the Republic of Serbia. The eradication program for IBR/IPV is an extensive process that requires systematic strategy involving different phases and activities. The eradication process from the moment of implementation until obtaining IBR/IPV-free status can last over several years and requires joint work and considerable financial resources that will be compansated with the elimination of IBR/IPV from the herd. This article gives an overview of all stages and activities regarding eradication of the disease and certification and maintaining of IBR/IPV-free herd status. more...