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Alexander Borodin, a member of the Mighty Five composers, is presented. As an artist, due to his main compositions, Borodin got world fame. In contrast, his medical and scientific works and educational innovations are practically forgotten. We consider whether there is an objective way to compare the value of scientific and artistic creativity, including musical composing.

Tobacco smoking is a mental and behavioral disease. It causes significant pathology and premature death in more than seven million individuals a year around the globe. Because smoking is such important public health issue, the general public will benefit from targeted preventive strategies. Medical doctors have a vital role in smoking cessation of their patients. Non-smokers are more successful in this role than chronic smokers. Governmental regulation on smoking, as well as strict no-smoke policy in hospitals and university campuses will help not only medical students, other health workers and the general public to quit smoking and contribute to the general good health of this population. The aim of this comment is to analyse the current smoking habits of physicians and medical students and presents policies and other help to the medical students to stop tobacco smoking.

I wrote on the renowned pharmacologist Professor Ervin G Erdös and his scientific opus in my reminiscence article written on the occasion of his death in 2019. When I attended the Fourth International Congress in Pharmacology in Basel in 1969, Dr Ervin G Erdös invited me to join his laboratory. Thus, in April 1970, I arrived in Oklahoma City as a Fulbright Fellow to work with him for two years. Later on, as a visiting scientist I frequently worked in his research laboratories in Dallas and Chicago and we shared research interests through visits across the Atlantic between the former Yugoslavia and the United States.

Many non-native English speakers, especially those whose mother language has no articles (like Slavic languages) make mistakes when they speak or write English. This may sound rather rough to English-speaking listeners or readers. To improve their command of the language and the usage of articles, individuals for whom English is a second language should review the usage of articles from time to time. We prepared a short text on this subject and also included exercises from the medical publications.

This brief review describes how two complex systems, the renin-angiotensin system (RAS) and the kallikrein-kinin system (KKS), affect the retina. It emphasises the important physiological actions of components of these systems, the protective effectiveness of angiotensin I converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors and angiotensin receptor blockers (ARB) in diabetic retinopathy and suggests as well the therapeutic possibilities for treatment of diabetic retinopathy by selective activation of bradykinin receptors (B1 and B2).

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Sand dunes are one of the critically endangered habitats in Europe. This vegetation type is under a strong anthropogenic influence. Its natural value is very high since many plant species with a narrow distribution are found there. The classification of Serbian sand-dune vegetation and the status of the described associations has not been validated by numerical analyses. This research presents an evaluation of sand-dune vegetation in Serbia on the basis of literature data, as well as new releves. Psammophytic vegetation in Serbia was classified into two alliances, annual and ruderal Bassio laniflorae-Bromion tectori and perennial Festucion vaginate. The aim of this research was the classification of the alliance Festucion vaginatae, perennial, drought-tolerant, tussock-forming vegetation on sand. As proposed by OptimClass, Jaccard distance and flexible beta data (β=-0.25) were used for the classification. Classification results were confirmed by detrended correspondence analysis (DCA) ordination. The result of the classification established that only two associations, Alysso gmelini-Festucetum vaginatae and Festucetum vaginatae, are present in Serbia. These associations are divided into groups that mostly correspond to traditional subassociations. [Project of the Serbian Ministry of Education, Science and Technological Development, Grant no. III43002: Biosensing technology and global systems for continuous research sand integrated management of ecosystems]

This article includes personal reminiscence of the great scientist Ervin G Erdös (1922-2019). Dr Erdös was born in Budapest, where he studied medicine. He finished his medical school in Munich, and obtained MD degree in 1952. There he joined, as a postdoctoral fellow, Professor Eugen Werle who had earlier discovered kallikrein, an enzyme that liberates kinins from kininogen. Dr Erdös continued his work on peptides and peptidases at the universities of Pittsburgh, Oklahoma City, Dallas and Chicago. In his eighties, he retired from the University of Illinois, Chicago. His numerous contributions to science belong to three important areas: 1) enzymes that generate, inactivate, or modulate the activity of kinins and other biologically active peptides, 2) angiotensin-converting enzyme and 3) kinin receptors. These discoveries contributed to our understanding of several bioactive peptide systems. Dr Erdös also found important interactions of the renin-angiotensin and kallikrein-kinin systems.

Because of the high importance of bryophytes in forest ecosystems, it is necessary to develop standardized field sampling methodologies. The quadrat method is commonly used for bryophyte diversity and distribution pattern surveys. Quadrat size and the position of quadrats within the studied area have a significant influence on different analyses. The aim of the present study was to define the minimum quadrat size appropriate for sampling ground bryophytes in temperate beech forests, to compare two different field sampling methods for research on ground bryophytes, the random and microcoenose methods; and to test the adequacy of the microcoenose sampling method in temperate beech forests. Research was carried out on Fruška Gora mountain (Serbia) at four different sites. All sites contained temperate broadleaf forest vegetation, predominantly Fagus sylvatica, but also included various other tree species. Systematic sampling based on nested quadrats was used to determine the minimum sampling area. Random sampling was performed using 10 or 20 microplots (minimum area quadrat), randomly located within 10x10 m plots. Microcoenose sampling is a systematic sampling method based on the fact that every bryophyte fragment on the forest floor is a separate microcoenose. These methods were compared using the following criteria: species richness; Shannon’s diversity index and evenness measure; coverage of dominant species, and the time needed for sampling. The microcoenose sampling method has proven to be highly applicable in temperate beech forests in terms of species richness and diversity, in contrast to random sampling, which was not suitable for bryophyte flora with a patchy distribution. [Project of the Serbian Ministry of Education, Science and Technological Development, Grant no. III43002: Biosensing technology and the global systems for continuous research and integrated management of ecosystems]

Our objectives were to offer insight into the characteristics of the physical environment in the River Danube in Serbia; and to show the relationship between selected environmental factors and the composition and abundance of macrophyte species. The macrophyte survey method followed the European Standard EN 14184, applying Kohler’s five-level descriptive scale. Principal component analysis was carried out to examine the variation in aquatic vegetation, and to analyze the effect of environmental variables on the aquatic vegetation, redundancy analysis was used. To build a simpler model with fewer explanatory variables, yet sufficiently explaining species variability, forward selection of environmental variables was done. Our results confirmed that physical environmental factors significantly influence the establishment and structure of macrophyte vegetation, with the level of hydrological connectivity to the main river channel being the most important, followed by the transparency of the water column, sediment texture and water-flow velocity. In order to inspect the individual relation between best-fitted plant species and each of selected environmental variables, Spearman’s rank correlation coefficients were calculated. We have distinguished plant species with preferences to specific combinations of analyzed factors. Our results provide a background for future, more specific studies on the macrophyte/habitat relationship. [Project of the Serbian Ministry of Education, Science and Technological Development, Grant no. III43002: Bio-sensing technologies and global systems for the continual research and integrative ecosystem management]

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Fruška Gora is a mountain located in the southern part of Pannonian plane and it is poorly bryologicaly investigated as well as most parts of Serbia. First data on bryophytes, for this region, were published in 1949 by Teodor Soška in his paper Pregled mahovina i lišajeva u okolini Beograda (Review of mosses and lichens in the vicinity of Belgrade). Soška listed 34 species of mosses and 8 liverworts species for this region. Later, in 1955, Zlatko Pavletić in his capital work Prodromus flore briofita Jugoslavije (Prodromus of Yugoslavian bryophyte flora), stated 26 moss species and 3 liverwort species, without indicating specific localities, but all of them were Soška’s original results. In 1966, the second botanist with original findings of bryophytes on Fruška Gora was Popović, who recorded 2 liverwort and 19 moss species, for this mountain, also without specific localities. By far, the most comprehensive data were given by Cvetić and Sabovljević in 2004. Their study A contribution to the bryophyte flora of Fruška Gora (Vojvodina, Serbia) counted total number of 118 mosses and 14 liverworts, on 16 localities within National park Fruška Gora. The latest study on bryophytes of Fruška Gora was in 2013, and it is the first and so far, the last study of bryophyte assemblages on grasslands. Authors of this paper recorded 18 species of mosses from 29 releveé. Complete bryophyte flora of Fruška Gora is still unknown. Considering the fact that this is the region with high biodiversity, dense hydrological network and a rather complex geology, Fruška Gora certainly deserves further bryological researches.

Koviljski Rit is located along the left bank of the Danube River, between the villages of Kovilj and Gardinovci. It is a rare example of pristine nature, where the original features of a swamp biotope are preserved. Because of its exceptional natural value, Koviljski Rit, along with the swamp in Petrovaradin, has been under the protection of the Republic of Serbia since 1998, when it was proclaimed a Special Nature Reserve of the first category. Natural vegetation found in Koviljski Rit includes woodlands composed of willow and poplar. The majority of the reserve consists of forest plantations (55.6%), which include habitats influenced by human activities. Based on DCA (Detrended correspondence analysis) of forest vegetation in Koviljski Rit, there is a high degree of similarity between natural populations of white willow and stands of anthropogenic origin. However, in contrast, the same analysis indicates clear differences between natural and artificial poplar stands. Moreover, depending on whether they were planted in temporary or permanent flood plain habitats, significant differences are evident in the floristic structures of Euro-American poplar forests. Ecological conditions in habitats of white and Euro-American poplar (Populus x euroamericana/Dode/ Guinier) communities were found to be more similar with respect to illumination and soil humidity. However, more importantly, the anthropogenic forests recorded the lowest diversity as a result of regular thinning and measures implemented through forest management. [Project of the Serbian Ministry of Education, Science and Technological Development, Grant no. III 43002: Biosensing technologies and global system for continuous research and integrated management of ecosystems and Grant, no. 31,041th: Forest plantations as a way to increase reforestation in Serbia]

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This study was carried out on the Vidlič Mountain, eastern Serbia. The herb layer was surveyed in permanent plots on two localities: in a naturally regenerated beech forest and in a Douglas-fir plantation, in spring, summer and autumn 2011, 2012 and 2013. Air temperature, air humidity and soil moisture were measured. Species richness, Shannon’s diversity index and Pielou’s evenness index were calculated for each plot. Comparison of the abundances of species common to both forest stands was done using the Mann-Whitney U-test. The compositional gradient of the species data was examined using detrended correspondence analysis (DCA), and the species-environment relationship was analyzed by canonical correspondence analysis (CCA). Soil moisture and the total herb cover significantly differed in the naturally regenerated beech forest and Douglas-fir plantation. Floristic similarity between the surveyed forest stands was 28.12%. Although the dominant canopy species is known to be the strongest predictor of the herb layer, the model that includes all of the analyzed environmental factors explains the largest amount of the species variability. The species best fitted to this model are Dryopteris filix-mas, Galium odoratum, Pulmonaria officinalis, Sanicula europaea, Pteridium aquilinum and Rubus caesius. The analyzed forest stands are examples of two different post-disturbance regeneration strategies. Having in mind the limitations of this study, we can conclude that the naturally regenerated beech forest recovers faster: its herbaceous layer indicated nearly natural conditions, with only a few pioneer and disturbance-tolerant species. The herb layer in the Douglas-fir stand is still in the early seral stage, i.e. establishment. [Projekat Ministarstva nauke Republike Srbije, br. III43002: Bio-sensing technologies and global systems for the continual research and integrative ecosystem management]

The research was conducted during 2011 and 2012 in Vidlič Mountain in southeastern Serbia. The aim of this research was to determine species composition of mosses and liverworts in beech forests. A total number of 48 taxa (6 liverworts, 42 mosses) was recorded. According to the Red Data Book of European Bryophytes there is one species in rare category. Also, there is one species with low risk threat status in Bryophyte Red List of Serbia and Montenegro. This research is a contribution to Serbian bryophyte flora study. [Projekat Ministarstva nauke Republike SRbije, br. III 43002: Biosensing technology and the global systems for continuous research and integrated management of ecosystems]

Research on the renin-angiotensin system (RAS) has contributed significantly to advances in understanding cardiovascular and renal homeostasis and to the treatment of cardiovascular diseases. This review offers a brief history of the RAS with an overview of its major components and their functions, as well as blockers of the RAS, their clinical usage and current research that targets various components of the RAS. Because angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) metabolizes two biologically active peptides, one in the kallikrein-kinin system (KKS) and one in the RAS, it is the essential connection between the two systems. ACE releases very powerful hypertensive agent, angiotensin II and also inactivates strong hypotensive peptide, bradykinin. Inhibition of ACE thus has a dual effect, resulting in decreased angiotensin II and increased bradykinin. We described the KKS as well.

A number of publications confirm the association between periodontitis and general health. It is widely accepted that maternal periodontitis is a risk factor for adverse pregnancy outcomes, such as preterm birth and preterm low birth weight (

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The Lower Tisa is the 150 river km long section of the river through Serbia, where it runs into the Danube. The survey of vascular aquatic plants in the main channel of the Tisa River was undertaken during the time period 2004-2010. Survey included estimation of basic habitat characteristics (bank structure, sediment type, water flow velocity, water transparency, land use type) and estimation of the occurrence and abundance of plant species in the contiguous survey units along the main channel of the river, which were equal to the river kilometers. Recorded species were mainly estimated as rare, since the conditions found both on the banks and in the water do not favor the development of aquatic or semi aquatic vegetation. Many of hydrophytes do not have established populations in the main channel, but arrive through tributaries or from cut off oxbows during the periods of high water levels. Lateral connectivity interruptions caused by loss of flood plains and bank reinforcements are reflected in low diversity of the sediment material type, medium and high water flow velocity and low water transparency, which restrict growth of hydrophytes. The only observed effect of the longitudinal continuity interruption created by dam is presence of small populations of rooted hydrophytes Potamogeton x fluitans and Stuckenia pectinata found in the upstream section of the river.

During field studies of the vegetation in the canal network of the Hydro-System Danube-Tisa-Danube in Serbia, in 2008, 2011 and 2012, populations of Cabomba caroliniana A. Gray 1837 were recorded. Cabomba caroliniana was not previously recorded in the aquatic vegetation in Serbia. It is a popular aquarium plant native to South America (Brazil, Uruguay, Paraguay, and northeastern Argentina) and, according to some authors, to southeastern United States. It was introduced into the rest of the USA, Canada, Australia, Asia (China, Malaysia, India, Japan), and in many regions of its new range it is considered an invasive and noxious aquatic weed. In Europe, it was found in the United Kingdom (introduced to England), Belgium, the Netherlands, and Hungary. Newly recorded populations in Serbia are restricted to the canals in Bačka. Populations are established only on two localities (Mali Stapar and Odžaci). [Projekat Ministarstva nauke Republike Srbije, br. III43002]

Zasavica is a 33.1 km-long, slow-flowing river on the southern edge of the Pannonian plain. It has been a protected natural asset since 1997, and has great value as a natural aquatic habitat. In the period between 1998 and 2010, intensive studies of the aquatic vegetation were carried out. The comparisons of results gained at the beginning of that period with those from the end, show significant differences in species composition, spatial distribution, and diversity analyzed through species richness, Shannon’s diversity index, and evenness. [Projekat Ministarstva nauke Republike Srbije, br. III43002]

Great scientific discoveries rarely originate from small and poor countries. The Balkan region, an area with frequent wars and numerous invasions, is not considered an appropriate base for scientific research. Despite such opinions, a number of well educated, curious, wise, and brave minds from Serbia and the former Yugoslavia have been able to make significant scientific contributions. As an example, we briefly outline the lives and achievements of two scientists: Milutin Milanković (1879-1958) and Ivan Đaja (1884-1957). Nikola Tesla (1856-1943), and two Nobel laureates of Yugoslav origin, Leopold Ružička (1887-1976) and Vladimir Prelog (1906-1998), are not included here because their scientific contributions were mainly conducted in the USA or Switzerland. Milanković and Đaja overcame many obstacles, including wars, to contribute significantly to science. Unfortunately, each generation in Serbia and in the former Yugoslavia has been severely disturbed by at least one war. However, some researchers, despite wars and limited resources were able to complete their great scientific projects. Notably, such scientists stayed in the country or returned home as soon as peace returned. However, following the recent civil war that split Yugoslavia, many capable scientists did not return to their prewar homes.

A comparative study was carried out on the capabilities of the two species Paulownia elongata S. Y. Hu and Paulownia fortunei Hems. as biomonitors of atmospheric (and soil) heavy-metal pollution. Research on content of the heavy metals nickel (Ni) and lead (Pb) in leaves of the species Paulownia elongata growing under urban and suburban conditions with the comparison to the concentration of these elements in leaves of the species Paulownia elongata and Paulownia fortunei on an experimental plot in Bela Crkva showed average nickel concentrations of 2.7 μg/g on the experimental plot in Bela Crkva, Serbia, twice as low as the concentrations measured under extreme urban conditions (6.62 μg/g, or 4.54 μg/g in the immediate vicinity of suburban traffic lines). Inasmuch as Paulownia elongata endures urban conditions well, it can be recommended for cultivation in parks, tree alleys, and wind-protection zones along urban and regional traffic lines.

A large number of macrophytes, often in dense populations, have developed on the Grlište Reservoir, Serbia over a period of 15 years. Fast development of vegetation is a consequence of anthropogenic impact in lake management. The methodology used in this research covered 100% of the water body, including all areas with or without aquatic plants. The results indicate that plant communities are still in the early phase of development. This leaves space for future development of competitor macrophyte species (Najas marina, Eleocharis palustris, Typha latifolia, Typha angustifolia, Phragmites australis, etc.) capable of endangering stability of the lake, which will tend toward eutrophication.

Labudovo okno locality (50 m-84 m elevation) is situated in the south-eastern part of the edge of the Pannonian Plains, resting along the left bank of the Danube between 1982 km and 1078 km. The investigated locality is the result of rise of the Danube level after dam building of the hydroelectric power station Đerdap I. The vegetation comprises aquatic associations of the classes Hydrochari-Lemnetea Oberd. 1967 and Potametea Tx. et Prsg. 1942. The class Hydrochari-Lemnetea Oberd. 1967 includes the following phytocoenoses: Lemno-Spirodeletum W. Koch 1954, Salvinio-Spirodeletum polyrrhizae Slavnić 1956, Lemno minoris-Azolletum filiculoides Br.-Bl. 1952, Ceratophylletum demersi (Soó 27) Hild 1956. The class Potametea Tx. et Prsg. 1942 includes the associations Myriophyllo-Potametum Soó 1934, Nympaeetum albo-luteae Nowinski 1928, Trapetum natantis Mülleret Görs 1960.

Studied by many botanists from the floristic and vegetation-geographical aspects over the last hundred years, the herbaceous plant cover in dominant on Titel Hill. The first data on plant communities were registered in 1983, when a significant contribution to the study of vegetation of steppe character was made. At that time, presence of shrubby remnants of forest vegetation on Titel Hill was registered. Since 1983, fragments of typical xerothermic woods of pubescent oak have been registered.

Iva xanthifolia is a North American weed species, which was introduced and naturalized in Europe. Anatomical and micromorphological characteristics of this species were investigated, in order to get better knowledge of its biology, which could help in development of strategies for prevention of its spreading. Detailed descriptions of lamina, petiole, stem and inflorescence axis anatomical structures were given, together with micromorphological characteristics of epidermis and indumentum of lamina, petiole, stem, inflorescence axis, involucre and fruit. All vegetative organs had mesomorphic structure, with some xeromorphic adaptations. Mechanical tissue was well developed, which gave those plants additional strength and resistance. Trichomes were the most numerous on lamina and in the region of inflorescence, while rare on petiole and stem epidermis and their distribution varied according to plant organ.

This paper analyses manganese content in the air, in the soil and in the vegetative parts of seven tree species at seven localities. Soil and plants contaminated by heavy metals can cause environmental risk and cause health problems. Heavy metals are substances which signalize environmental pollution. Within the study of other heavy metals (lead, nickel, zinc and iron), manganese content was analyzed in some tree species depending on the concentrations of manganese in the soil and air in the National Park "Fruška Gora", along the road M-21.

Introduction. Statins have similar side effects that do not always occur at the same rate among the various statins. We present a case of simvastatin-induced muscle toxicity that disappeared when pravastatin was substituted for the original drug. Case Outline. A 74-year-old male, a nonsmoker, complained of severe nocturnal leg cramps. The patient also complained that similar painful cramping occurred when he walked rapidly or jogged. Because some components of his lipid panel exceeded the ‘desirable’ range, and as he had a history of myocardial infarction, his family physician prescribed simvastatin (40 mg/day). The patient had taken this medication for the past eight years. The painful nocturnal episodes started two years ago and affected either one or the other leg. Four months ago we discontinued his simvastatin and prescribed pravastatin (80 mg/day). At a follow-up visit six weeks later, the patient reported that his leg pains at night and the pain experienced after brisk walking had disappeared. Four months after the substitution of pravastatin for simvastatin, the patient reported that his complete lack of symptoms had continued. Conclusion. These painful muscle cramps were probably caused by an inadequate vascular supply to the calf and foot muscles. Perhaps a combination of advanced age and atherosclerotic changes created a predisposition for the simvastatin-induced leg cramps. Pravastatin differs from simvastatin in several ways. It is not metabolized by cytochrome P450 (CYP) 3A4 oxidases, and thus is not influenced by CYP 3A4 inhibitors like simvastatin. Also, simvastatin is associated with single-nucleotide polymorphisms located within the SLCO1B1 gene on the chromosome 12 and established myopathy, while pravastatin lacks this association. These differences may contribute to increased tolerance to pravastatin in this particular case.

We surveyed 27 anesthesiology residents to determine their basic understanding of biostatistics. We wanted to see how well they could interpret statistical presentation in biomedical literature and assess research outcomes. The questionnaire included three sections: demographics of the participants, their knowledge of statistics (21 questions) and their attitude and self reported confidence about biostatistics. Recognition of a meta-analysis was the highest scoring question (85% gave the correct answer), and recognition of a case-control study scored the lowest (22%). There was no effect of gender, the year of study, the number of years elapsed since graduation at the medical school, or country in which the participants had attended medical school (US or foreign schools). The only factor that increased the number of correct answers significantly was an additional course in biostatistics that two participants had attended after graduation. Sixty six percent indicated they did not understand all of the statistics they encountered in journal articles, but all of the participants felt it was important to be able to understand the literature. We conclude that most residents in this study lack the knowledge in biostatistics needed to interpret results in medical publications. Most participants in this survey expressed the desire to improve their knowledge on this subject, even though it would require taking special courses in basic epidemiology, and statistics for the non-statistician during their residency training.

Smokers have an increased risk of perioperative and postoperative complications, including a higher incidence of airway and respiratory, cardiovascular events, and impaired wound healing. This brief review will remind anesthesiologist and surgeons that their preoperative smoking intervention for smoking cessation can be effective in decreasing the incidence of complications. Preoperative smoking intervention, even if it is both brief and intensive, may help to decrease this risk. The surgical event is the important 'teachable moment' that could translate, with proper smoking intervention, into permanent smoking cessation.