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Radiotherapy affects not only malignant, but also a healthy tissue adjacent to tumor by increasing reactive oxygen species generation, with consequent damage to biomolecules, such as the oxidation of membrane lipids, known as lipid peroxidation. The end product of lipid peroxidation is malondialdehyde. Radioprotectors are compounds that could significantly protect normal cells from radiation, without changing the tumor cell radiosensitivity. Synthetic radioprotectors usually have side effects and are toxic. Natural radioprotectors exert protection without adverse effects. In this study, we examined the radioprotective ability of linden honey in rat blood, by detecting alterations in the activities of antioxidant enzymes catalase and glutathione peroxidase and malondialdehyde concentration after the exposure to a therapeutic dose of gamma rays. Sixteen rats were randomly divided into Control and Honey groups. Honey group received honey (1.5 mL(kgd-1)) orally for four weeks, while at the same time Control group were given distilled water. After four weeks, blood was sampled from all animals. Samples were halved, and one series of samples were gamma irradiated (2 Gy). Radiation induced decreased glutathione peroxidase activity and increased malondialdehyde level, while honey treatment attenuated those alterations, keeping glutathione peroxidase and malondialdehyde at physiological levels. These findings confirm radioprotective properties of linden honey.

The starting point for every viticultural and wine-producing country with respect to local grapevine varieties is their identification, inventory, preservation and development of genetic resources of those varieties. There are currently 224 grapevine va­rieties cultivated in Serbia for the purpose of commercial production of grapes and wine. Out of that number, 31 wine varieties are local. Vineyards under those varieties can be dif­ferentiated by their importance for production of grapes and wine, and by the level of their endangerment, that is, sustainability in conditions caused by climate changes. This paper presents the creation, that is, the modeling of the Method for Vineyard Sustainability Clas­wine grapevine varieties on grounds of their endangerment and sustainability, based on 20 examined and categorized individual vineyard sustainability parameters; to carry out comsification (MVSC). The purpose of MVSC classification is: to valorize vineyards with local prehensive classification into one of the four established vineyard sustainability classes (Class A - very endangered vineyards, Class B - endangered vineyards, Class C - sustainable vineyards and Class D - very sustainable vineyards); spatial identification and presentation of vineyards based on determined vineyard sustainability class through application of GIS technology; and finally, application of Network Analysis (NA), prioritization of examined parameters and, therefore, vineyards. A total of 10,402 vineyards under local grapevine wine varieties were used for modeling, and it was determined that 29 vineyards with the total surface of 1.2 hectares should be classified in Class A, while 2,883 vineyards with the total surface of 158.2 hectares should be classified in Class B. With respect to the strength of 20 individual vineyard sustainability parameters, it was determined that the parameter Structure of the vine rootstock (SVR) has the greatest impact, and priority in selection of vineyards in different sustainability classes should be given to vineyards without rootstocks. In accordance with the scientific justification of obtained results, the MVSC enables comprehensive clas­sification of the potential for sustainability of genetic resources of local grapevine varieties in Serbia, and it can be applied in other countries and wine-growing areas, as well as to other groups of grapevine varieties.

Minor grapevine varieties represent enormous value in terms of cul­tural heritage, diversification of products with higher economic value and adaptation to environmental conditions. This paper presents the results of research on certain production and technological characteristics (mechanical composition of clusters and berries, as well as chemical composition of grape must) of a local, i.e. minor white wine variety Sremska Zelenika examined in the agro-ecological conditions of the Fruška Gora wine-growing sub-region (Srem wine-growing region) in the locality of Sremski Karlovci. In the two-year research (2020 and 2021), without any yield reduction, it was determined that the average mass of the cluster was 266.5 g. The average sugar content in the grape must of the tested variety was 19.8%, the average content of total acids was 6.75 g/l and the average pH of the grape must was 3.27. Comparing the results of previous researches conducted in the same locality, it is concluded that in this research the minor variety of Sremska Zelenika has some better production and technological characteristics.

Background: Surgical stress and pain result in activation of hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal axis. The aim of this study was to establish the effects of postoperative pain and various modalities of analgesic administration on salivary and serum cortisol levels, as well as to establish the validity of salivary cortisol as a stress indicator in surgical patients. Methods: A randomized controlled trial involved 60 patients scheduled for elective abdominal aortic aneurysm surgery. Patients were randomly divided into two groups depending on the model of postoperative analgesia. The first group (MI - morphine intermittently) included patients given morphine doses 0.1 mg/kg/6h s.c. intermittently. The second group (MPCA - morphine patient-controlled analgesia) included patients who received morphine via the PCA system - intravenous administration of morphine adjusted to a dose of 1 mg per shot and a lockout interval of 6 minutes. Results: The intensity of pain did not significantly vary until the hour 10 post-surgery. However, in the period from hour 10 to hour 18 post-surgery, higher intensity of pain was reported in group MPCA (P < 0.05). Hemodynamic instability was more prevalent in the MI group (40.0% vs 6.7%, P = 0.0048). Serum cortisol levels were almost identical in both groups (MI 509.4 nmol/L vs MPCA 511.0 nmol/L, P = 0.1473). Higher values of salivary cortisol were recorded in group MPCA; however, the difference was not statistically significant (47.1 nmol/L vs 116.3 nmol/L, P = 0.0970). Conclusion: Our study confirmed that salivary cortisol is a more sensitive stress biomarker in surgical patients as compared to blood cortisol.

The aim of this study was to examine whether there are differences in adrenomedullary function in respect to the left and right sides in chronic stress conditions. We investigated how chronic stress isolation (CSI 12 weeks) affected the protein levels of key enzymes involved in adrenaline (A) synthesis (phenyl ethanolamine N-methyltransferase -PNMT), storage (vesicular monoamine transporters 2 - VMAT2) and degradation (catechol-O-methyltransferase - COMT), as well as the concentrations of A as an index for adrenomedullary function in the left and right adrenal medulla. Also, we examined the concentrations of malondialdehyde (MDA), protein levels of nuclear factor κB (NF-κB), and activity of catalase (CAT) in the left and right adrenal medulla. The investigated parameters were quantified by Western blot analysis, assay of enzymatic activity, and CAT Research ELISA kits. We found that CSI pro duced significantly increased levels of PNMT protein, and VMAT2 protein, as well as increased concentrations of A in the right adrenal medulla. However, we recorded that CSI increased protein levels of COMT and NF-κB, as well as the concentrations of MDA in the left adrenal medulla. Also, CSI decreased the activity of CAT only in the left adrenal medulla. Based on these results, it may be concluded that adrenomedullary function is different in respect to the left and right sides in chronic stress conditions.

Background/Aim. Functional imaging, including diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging (DWI MRI) and apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) map, provides promising results in discrimination benign from malignant pelvic and inguinal lymph nodes in patients with gynecological malignancies. The aim of the study was to assess diagnostic performances of DWI in differentiation between benign and malignant pelvic and inguinal lymph nodes in patients with gynecological malignancies. Methods. The prospective clinical study was conducted at the Clinical Center of Vojvodina, Serbia, from 2013 to 2016, comprising 80 patients with malignant gynecological tumors. Preoperatively, all patients underwent MRI examination, followed by standard surgical treatment with complete pelvic and/or inguinal lymphadenectomy. A combination of ADC value criteria and size-based criteria yields MRI the following diagnostic performances in discrimination between benign and malignant lymph nodes: sensitivity 95%, specificity 92%, overall accuracy 92.5%, positive predictive value 46%, and negative predictive value 99.6%. Histopathological examination of surgically removed material and lymph nodes separated in pelvic and inguinal anatomic groups was performed after the surgery. Results. A total of 2,320 lymph nodes were mapped and histopathologically examined in 80 patients included in the study. Metastases in lymph nodes were histopathologically confirmed in 28 (35%) patients. Measured ADC values were significantly lower in metastatic (mean ± standard deviation (SD), ADC: 0.8725 × 10-3 ± 0.0125 × 10-3 mm2/s) than benign lymph nodes (mean ± SD, ADC: 1.116 × 10-3 ± 0.1848 × 10-3 mm2/s; p = 0.001). If ADC value of 0.860 × 10-3 mm2/s was determined as a cut-off value for discrimination between benign and malignant lymph nodes, DWI sensitivity was 89%, specificity 85%, and overall accuracy was 86%, positive predictive values 30%, and negative predictive value 99%. Conclusion. DWI MRI sequence is a fast, simple, non-invasive method that aids significantly to MRI diagnostic performances in dis-crimination between benign and malignant pelvic and inguinal lymph nodes.

The flowering and fruit set of grapevines are determined by many morphological, physiological, and environmental factors. Although the elemental composition of pollen grains plays a crucial role in the fruit set, there is still a considerable gap in our knowledge. To date, no study has been conducted on the elemental composition of Vitis vinifera subsp. sylvestris (hereafter V. sylvestris) pollen grains. The aim of this work was to investigate the elemental composition of pollen grains of V. sylvestris using scanning electron microscopy with energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (SEM-EDX). The pollen grains of ten V. sylvestris individuals (eight male and two female) and one hermaphrodite cultivar 'Plavac mali crni' were analyzed. SEM-EDX analysis revealed the presence of eight elements (carbon—C, oxygen—O, magnesium—Mg, phosphorus—P, potassium—K, calcium—Ca, molybdenum—Mo, and aluminum—Al) in the pollen grains. Interestingly, aluminum was detected exclusively in the pollen of the cultivated grape cultivar 'Plavac mali crni', while it was not present in the genotypes of V. sylvestris. No significant differences between genotypes were found for oxygen and phosphorus, while significant differences were found for other elements. Pollen dimorphism was not associated with differences in element composition, although principal component analysis separated the genotypes into two distinct groups, with two female individuals (Pak10 and Pak12) and one male (Im19) tending to form separate clusters. This study is the first report on the elemental composition of pollen grains of V. sylvestris genotypes and provides valuable insights for further studies on pollen functionality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

(1) Background: Physical activity may cause an imbalance in the major functions of the human body. This study aimed to investigate the effects of endurance running training on the parameters of the antioxidant defense system (SOD, CAT, GPx, GR, GSH), LPO (malondialdehyde, MDA), and stress hormones (A, NA) in young healthy, previously untrained men. (2) Methods: The training program was as follows: 8 weeks of running, three times per week; the duration of a single session was 30–70 min, the intensity was twice a week in the so-called extensive endurance zone, and once a week in the anaerobic threshold zone. Blood samples were collected from the subjects, before and after the running program. (3) Results: The training program resulted in a significant increase in maximal oxygen consumption (p < 0.001). The activities of SOD, GPx, and GR also increased significantly (p < 0.05, p < 0.01, and p < 0.05, respectively), while CAT activity and GSH and MDA concentrations remained unchanged. The concentration of A decreased (p < 0.05), while the NA concentration increased significantly (p < 0.05). SOD, GPx, GR, and NA positively correlated with VO2max (p < 0.05, p < 0.001, p < 0.01, p < 0.05, respectively), while a negative correlation was detected between A and VO2max (p < 0.05). (4) Conclusions: These results indicate that there is no persistent oxidative stress in response to the applied 8-week running program, probably due to exercise-induced protective alterations in the antioxidant defense system. Furthermore, adaptations occurred at the hormonal level, making the organism more ready for a new challenge. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction/Objective. Circle of Willis (CoW) provides the most significant collateral flow in the presence of significant stenosis or occlusion of internal carotid artery. In terms of collateral flow “incomplete” type and “complete” type of CoW can be recognized. Patients with carotid artery disease with incomplete CoW have lower cerebrovascular reactivity and higher risk for stroke. Cerebrovascular reactivity refers to the residual capacity of dilatation of cerebral blood vessels in the condition of insufficient blood flow. In this study we analyzed changes in cerebrovascular reactivity after carotid endarterectomy in asymptomatic patients with respect to complete and incomplete CoW morphology. Methods. In this study in 97 patients with asymptomatic carotid artery disease we measured cerebrovascular reactivity before and after carotid endarterectomy by using method of “apnea test” and “breathholding index” (BHI). Patients were divided into two following groups: patients with “complete” CoW and “incomplete” CoW based on non-contrast magnetic resonance angio performed previously to the operation. Descriptive statistics, univariate analysis, and ANOVA for comparison of BHI values between groups were used. Results. The results showed significant increase in cerebrovascular reactivity at the side of stenosis in both groups of patients with complete CoW (BHI value increased from 0.897 to 1.090; F (1.65) = 30.788, p < 0.0005, parc. η2 = 0.321) and incomplete CoW (BHI value increased from 0.690 to 1.010; F (1.27) = 62.318, p < 0.0005, parc. η2 = 0.698) and the more significant increase in the group of incomplete CoW compared to the group with complete CoW (F (1.92) = 4.557, p = 0.035, parc. η2 = 0.047) Conclusion. In most asymptomatic patients, cerebrovascular reactivity restores to normal following carotid endarterectomy. Parameters of cerebrovascular reactivity are lower in patients with incomplete CoW and the increase after carotid endarterectomy is more significant in such patients.

Introduction/Objective. Pancreatic cancer may be accompanied by infections caused by various microorganisms. It is uncertain wheatear pancreatic infection precedes the development of cancer or vice versa. The aim of this study is to analyze routes of infections from the duodenum through the pancreatic duct to determine what types of microorganisms can get through this duct into the pancreas and nearby tissue. Methods. In patients subjected to cephalic duodenopancreatectomy (Whipple procedure) due to adenocarcinoma of the ampulla of Vater, the duodenum or head of the pancreas, swabs from duodenal mucosa, pancreatic duct, and pancreatic tissue at the line of the resection were taken. Microscopic slides were prepared directly from the patients’ specimens as well as from colonies on culture plates, and both were Gram stained. Results. Candida was present in all three types of swabs (duodenum, pancreatic duct, and tissue), while bacteria, depending on the species (Pseudomonas aeruginosa, α-hemolytic Streptococcus, coagulasenegative Staphylococcus, Enterococcus spp., Serratia spp.), were present in pancreatic duct or tissue, but not in the duodenum. Conclusion. There is a connection between the presence of microorganisms and pathology of the pancreatic adenocarcinoma. Results show that Candida infection originates from the duodenum, while bacterial infections originate directly from blood or tissue injuries.

Introduction/Objective. Coagulopathy induced by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 infection (SARS-CoV-2) can be an underlying cause of cerebral venous sinus thrombosis (CVST), a less common type of stroke with a variable clinical presentation and high mortality rate. The objective of the paper is to present a series of CVST cases associated with SARS-CoV-2 infection. Methods. This retrospective study evaluated clinical, laboratory and radiological presentations, risk factors, barriers to diagnosis, treatment and outcome of patients with SARS-CoV-2 infection-induced CVST. Results. The study comprised six patients diagnosed with COVID-19-induced CVST during an 18-month period. The majority (66.7%) had no significant risk factors for developing CVST. The median time from the initial COVID-19 diagnosis to the onset of neurologic deficit was seven days (interquartile range 0.5–7 days). Clinical presentation comprised non specific neurological symptoms: headache (83.3%) and decreased consciousness (33.3%), together with elevated levels of D-dimer and inflammatory biomarkers. The transverse (n = 4, or 66.7%), superior sagittal sinuses (n = 3, or 50%) and sigmoid sinus (n = 2, or 33.3%) were most commonly affected. Five patients (83.3%) had minimal to no symptoms at discharge (mRS ≤ 2). In-hospital mortality in our current series was relatively high (16.7%). Conclusion. The high mortality rate of SARS-CoV-2-associated CVST urges clinicians to suspect CVST in patients with a history of COVID-19 infection presenting with non-specific neurological symptoms in order to provide proper treatment and prevent complications.

The Russia-Byzantium treaties of 911 and 944 are the two earliest international agreements in the Slavic legal history, which have justifiably drawn considerable attention of legal historians since the mid-19th century. The contents of these political and trade agreements between Russia and the Byzantine Empire depict the contours of the ancient law in the early Russian state in the first century of its existence. Viewed in a wider historical context, the provisions of these agreements clearly reflect the social reality in Russia in the first half of the 10th century. Concurrently, these agreements are first-class historical sources depicting the social history of the early Middle Ages in general, as well as the sources of Byzantine, Russian and Slavic history in particular. They comprise some important facts which may be used (to some extent) in the process of reconstructing the social, economic and legal status of some categories of population. In terms of other contents, both treaties primarily contain conventional legal norms, in most cases including clearly defined dispositions and sanctions. Both treaties indicate that the social class of large merchants had already been well-established in Russia at that time, as they travelled to Constantinople in their vessels to trade in commodities. The Byzantine state guaranteed their freedom of trade, accommodation, personal safety and property security during their stay in Constantinople. The treaties contain provisions obliging the local population to provide assistance in the event a Russian or a Byzantine vessel was damaged or stranded in the territorial waters of either Russia or the Byzantine Empire. The parts of these treaties pertaining to civil law institutes show that Russian law protected private property only if one had legal ownership (title to property). We also learn that the Russian succession law had already recognized both testate and intestate succession, due to an article which prescribes as follows: if a Russian dies in the territory of Byzantium and has not made a testament, his movable property shall be returned to Russia and delivered to his next of kin. The criminal law provisions on murder, bodily injuries, common theft, robbery, and snatching or concealing a fugitive slave owned by another also included some designations on criminal proceedings. An article in the 911 Treaty specifies that the contracting states shall accept the mutual obligation to extradite to the state of origin the criminal offender apprehended in the territory of either state. Both treaties include provisions on the involvement or voluntary military service of Russian nationals in the Byzantine army, which is explicitly permitted either upon the express desire of an individual Russian citizen or upon the express summons and request of the Byzantine emperor seeking assistance of Russian soldiers in the military operations of the Byzantine army. Three articles of the 944 Treaty refer to the Kherson (Cherson) region, the ancient Byzantine colony on the Crimean Peninsula. They stipulate that the Russians are not allowed to fight in this region or impose their power on Kherson cities, nor are they permitted to let the neighboring Bulgarians fight there. It is also envisaged that the Russians shall not use force to prevent the local inhabitants of Kherson from fishing at the confluence of the Dnieper River into the Black Sea.

This paper is a synthesis of research results stemming from the author's earlier studies on the unsuccessful attempt of drafting the first civil code in the Principality of Serbia in the period from 1829 to 1835. The failure of this codification effort is observed in light of several important historical facts reflecting the relations between Prince Miloš Obrenović and the Legislative Committee. Prince Miloš was indeed the one who initiated the drafting of the civil code, which was to be modelled on the French Civil Code of 1804. Moreover, the Committee membership was appointed by the Prince himself. Yet, in the specific historical circumstances, the Prince's initiative was actually a political move largely forced by the widespread discontent with his autocratic rule without enacting legislation. Many indications suggest that Prince Miloš assumed that the public discontent would subdue if he were recognized in the public eye as the one who had established the Legislative Committee for drafting the civil code, and that it would suffice to allow the Committee to embark on the codification work. Yet, Prince Miloš was not genuinely interested in a successful outcome of this project. It is rather symptomatic that the members of the Legislative Committee, which were appointed by the Prince himself, had no legal knowledge and skills for such a serious codification project. On the other hand, Prince Miloš frequently acted on his own accord, kept changing the Committee members without any explanation, allowed frequent interruptions and long periods of inactivity, and granted long leaves of absence to individual members of the Committee. When the Committee finally prepared the draft version of the civil code, Prince Miloš was highly negative and critical about it, and he practically dismissed it altogether. The manuscript of this draft civil code has not been preserved in the historical archives. Bits and pieces of its content may barely be reconstructed, mainly by examining the contents of letters in which Prince Miloš passed his extremely negative remarks and extended his criticism on the draft civil code.

The process of generating and matched filtering of three types of modulated radar signals in baseband, using the FPGA Zedboard, is described in this paper. Binary phase sequence, linear frequency modulated (LFM) sequence and Costas sequence was generated using VHDL programming language. In order to perform a comparative analysis of these processes, named sequences had equal values of time-bandwidth product, pulse duration, pulse repetition of frequency and sampling frequency. The process of realization of the matched filtering has been explained using the System Generator program. To confirm efficiency, results of matched filtering of the aforementioned sequences were presented together, from the Matlab program and obtained using the FPGA Zedboard. Percentage values of utilization of resources of the FPGA Zedboard were presented, of the each coding sequence particularly.

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The experimental study included the design and production of ultra-highperformance steel fiber-reinforced concrete (UHPFRC). The physical and mechanical properties of UHPFRC were investigated in a laboratory setting. To investigate the properties of UHPFR concrete, three types of concrete and over 70 samples were used. Following that, samples were created to test the anchors' load-bearing performance. Six concrete slabs with a total of 108 pre-installed anchor samples and six concrete slabs with 108 post-installed chemical anchor samples were created. The analysis of the test findings comprised all individual results as well as the definition of the relationship between the anchor's tensile load capacity and other parameters. To accurately determine the individual influence of the investigated factors as well as their combined impact, a factorial experiment, and artificial neural networks were used in addition to normal statistical numerical studies. It was determined that both approaches offer advantages. The results obtained show matches in certain parts. Due to the way data is processed in different ways, there are also significant differences between them. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction/Objective. There are controversial data in the literature on the topic of effects of alcohol on insulin secretion, apoptosis, and necrosis of the endocrine and exocrine pancreas. The goal of this research was to determine how alcohol affects the insulin secretion and viability of human adult pancreatic islets in vitro during a seven-day incubation. Methods. Human pancreatic tissue was digested with Collagenase XI, using a non-automated method. Cultures were incubated in Roswell Park Memorial Institute (RPMI) medium containing alcohol (10 μl of alcohol in 100 ml of medium). Insulin stimulation index (SI) and viability of the islets were determined on the first, third, and seventh day of cultivation. Results. Analysis of the viability of the islets showed that there wasn’t significant difference between the control and the test group. In the test group, viability of the cultures declined with the time of incubation. SI of the test group was higher compared to the control group, by 50% and 25% on the first and third day of cultivation, respectively. On the seventh day, insulin secretion was reduced by 25%. The difference was not statistically significant (p > 0.05). In the test group, significant decline in insulin secretion was found on the third and seventh day of incubation (p ≤ 0.05). Conclusion. Alcohol can increase or decrease insulin secretion of islets cultures, which may result in an inadequate response of pancreatic β-cells to blood glucose, leading to insulin resistance, and increased risk of developing type 2 diabetes. [Project of the Serbian Ministry of Education, Science and Technological Development, Grant no. 41002]

The correlation of dehydrogenase isoenzyme profile with plant/tree vigour of twenty genotypes belonging to the genus Prunus and the subgenus Cerasus as well as to four commercial rootstocks (Colt, Gisela 5, Gisela 6 and MaxMa 14) was investigated in this study. Principal component analysis was applied for the classification of the cherry rootstocks based on vigour traits and polymorphism of isoenzymes in order to determine the most useful dehydrogenase enzyme in the preselecting process of cherry rootstocks. The most influential variables which led to the separation of low vigorous genotypes from other genotypes were isocitrate dehydrogenase, malate dehydrogenase and phosphogluconate dehydrogenase. Since both significant and negative correlations were observed between tree vigour and malate dehydrogenase, as well as between tree vigour and phosphogluconate dehydrogenase, those systems can be used for early selection of low vigour rootstocks. Our results suggest that the association between low vigour and malate dehydrogenase genotype ab provides a convenient marker that can be characterised even at the seedling stage, and could be applied in early rootstock selection and breeding programmes. [Project of the Serbian Ministry of Education, Science and Technological Development, Grant no. TR31038]

The effect of three different temperatures (8, 16 and 24°C) on pollen germination and length of pollen tube in vitro was investigated in four pear cultivars (‘Butirra Precoce Morettini’, ‘Williams’, ‘Conference’ and ‘Abate Fetel’). The temperature showed a significant effect on in vitro pollen germination. The highest pollen germination was determined at a temperature of 24°C (53.25%), somewhat lower at 16°C (44.72%) and the lowest at 8°C (23.16%). The temperature effect was significantly more pronounced on the length of pollen tube. Pollen tube length was about three times higher at the temperatures of 16 and 24°C compared to 8°C. The temperature of 8°C was not sufficient for pollen germination and pollen tube growth in pear cultivars. However, temperatures of 16 and 24°C were optimal for pollen germination and pollen tube growth. [Projekat Ministarstva nauke Republike Srbije, br. TR 31063: Primena novih genotipova i tehnoloških inovacija u cilju unapređenja voćarske i vinogradarske proizvodnje]