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The most important adipocytokines affecting the formation and the regression of atheromas plaque in the coronary blood vessels are adiponectin and resistin. The essence of this test is to determine the correlation of the leading biochemical parameters of atherosclerosis, adiponectin and resistin and determine their interdependence with other biochemical parameters in patients with diabetes mellitus and coronary heart disease. Our study group consisted of 140 patients and 40 control group (healthy), 50 with diabetes mellitus and 50 with coronary heart disease (myocardial infarction and angina pectoris). We find that the average value of adiponectin in the group with type 2 diabetes mellitus were significantly lower than in the control group (4.38 to 6.74, p = 0.001, p 0.05). In the same study group average value of resistin was significantly higher than in the control group (15.73 to 7.88, p = 0.001, p

Tests have shown that adipose tissue is very important in the production of chemical substances that have a major impact on atherosclerosis. The basic fat cells adiposity is very active in bio secretion hormones and other substances. Adiposities secrete chemical substances such as leptin, resistin, adiponectin, and others who participate in metabolic processes. One of the most important adipocytokine affecting the formation and the regression of atheromas plaque in the coronary blood vessels are adiponectin and resistin. So our aim was to determine the value of the concentration of adiponectin and resistin on patient with myocardial heart attack and determine their correlation with the control group of healthy subjects. In this study were included 68 subjects, 40 with myocardial heart attacks and 28 control groups of normal healthy. In the group with myocardial 78.6% of respondents were male and 21.4% female. Tests have shown that the concentration of adiponectin in the group with myocardial heart attack was significantly lower than the control group (4.94 to 6.74, p=0.043, p 0.05). All this indicates that in patients with myocardial heart attack there is a decline in the concentration of adiponectin, which has cardio protective effect. The increase in resistin in myocardial heart attack in directly related to the appearance of athermanous plaques in the coronary blood vessels and has a bad prognostic significance.

Diabetes mellitus type 2 is one of the leading chronic diseases in the world and in our country, which is an important risk factor for development of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. Objective. The aim of this research was making the estimation of risk factors in the etiology of coronary heart disease in obese patients with diabetes mellitus type 2. The study included 82 obese patients, of which 52 with diabetes mellitus and 30 without diabetes mellitus, in all of them coronary artery disease proven by coronary angiography. All were examined by clinical examination, laboratory tests and echocardiography. Based on the test results we found that the distribution of risk factors such as hypertension, family burden coronary artery disease, smoking, alcohol intake was the same in the obese patients with diabetes mellitus, and of those without diabetes mellitus. Echocardiography showed significantly larger left ventricle, lower ejection fraction, larger left atrium and significant mitral regurgitation. Also, in a group of patients with diabetes mellitus, there was significantly higher number of patients with multiple vessel coronary disease. Despite the small sample, we can conclude that the present of diabetes mellitus in obese patients is crucial for severe forms of coronary artery disease. Severity is expressed through significant structural and functional changes in the left ventricle and the number of diseased coronary arteries.

Osteoarthritis of joints is a degenerative disease whose main characteristics are damage and loss of articular cartilage, thickening of the bone just beneath the cartilage (subchondral bone) and hypertrophy of bone at the edges of the joint. Clinically, OA of joints knees, depending on the stage of the disease, manifested by pain in degenerative altered joint, stiffness, restricted range of motion, precipitation, joint effusion within deformations, and varying degrees of inflammation. In this research were involved 100 patients and presented the results of the clinical manifestations of the disease, including amnesics and objective parameters, demographics status, radio-logical findings and the presence of co morbid conditions.

Predictors of improved quality of life after coronary artery bypass surgery (CABG) are still incompletely known. To determine the predictors of improving the quality of life six months after coronary artery bypass surgery. We studied 208 consecutive patients, who underwent elective CABG. The Nottingham Health Profile Questionnaire part 1 was used as the model for quality of life determination. Questionnaire contains 38 subjective statements divided into six sections: physical mobility, social isolation, emotional reaction, energy, pain and sleep. We distributed the questionnaire to all patients before CABG and six months after CABG. The mean age of patients was 58,8 ± 8,2 years, 82% were males. The comparison between mean preoperative and postoperative scores showed that improvement was found in 53.7% of patients, worsening in 12.5%, quality of life before and after the intervention was normal in 26.7%, and no changes in quality of life was at 7.08%. Independent predictors of patients improvement by CABG were as follows: absence of previous myocardial infarction in the physical mobility section (p=0.03; OR=0.59; CI 0.40-0.92), higher CCS angina class in the physical mobility (p=0.006; OR=2.34; CI 1.46-3.32), energy (p=0.02; OR=1.70; CI 1.29-2.64) and pain sections (p

Main point of prevention of tuberculosis is the existence of basic knowledge about risk factors (smoking habit, alchohol abuse) which contribute to appearance of tuberculosis and influence to therapy. In order to assess the influence of potential risk factors a cross-analysis was made for the years 2002-2004, 2007-2009 and 2012-2014 . During the period of 12 years, 230 cases of TB were included in the study. The mean age of all subjects was 45.81±16.98. There were (61.7-73.2%) males and this observation is supported by reports that males had significantly higher risk for more severe lung destruction (69.2-84.6%), as evidenced by bilateral lung cavitation (86.1-100%) than females. In total 45.6-76.7% were smear-positive. Alcohol use disorders increased (11.8-29.4%; p=0.02) as a smoking habit (44.1-47.1%). In cases with severe lung destruction as a lung cavitation increased cigarette smoking (46.6-60.0%) and alcoholism (19.4-50.0%; p=0.007). Linear regression analysis confirmed a statistically significant correlation between severe form of TB and smoking habit (>20 cigarettes per day, p=0.04) and alcohol use disorders (p=0.004). Successful control in reducing smoking, alcohol use disorders and, could favorably impact the TB morbidity rate.

The aim of this paper is to examine the use of project management practices in Slovenian micro and small firms (MSFs) and to identify project success factors (SF) and project success criteria (SC).

There is a concerning trend of emigration among highly educated individuals in Montenegro. This includes medical professionals who seek better job opportunities abroad. The aim of the present study was to identify the primary motivational factors driving Montenegrin medical students to pursue a career in medicine, and whether these factors undergo changes over the course of their studies.

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, children with autism spectrum disorders and their parents faced numerous challenges related to health care, education and daily functioning, while available support was limited and often inadequate. The aim of this paper was to examine the differences in subjective quality of life and the support available to parents of children with autism and parents of typically developing children during the state of emergency declared due to the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as to explore the existence of an association between quality of life and the quality of support. The sample consisted of 39 parents of children with autism and 28 parents of children of typical development, fom both genders. To assess the subjective quality of life of parents, a short version of the Brunnsviken Brief Quality of Life Scale was used, while the quality of available support was measured using a scale specifically constructed for the purposes of this research. The results indicated that during the state of emergency, parents of typically developing children received better support from the health system and had more free time than parents of children with autism. In terms of quality of life, no statistically significant differences were found between the two groups of parents in any of the examined areas, nor in the overall quality of life. No association between quality of life and the quality of available support was found for either group of parents. The obtained results highlight the need to address the specific needs of families of children with autism in times of uncertainty, such as during a pandemic. These findings can inform future interventions aimed at providing support that is better aligned with the needs of both children and parents in similar circumstances.

Background/Aim. Quality of life (QoL) is one of the out-come measures for patients with chronic diseases. Mental health issues often impact the QoL of cancer patients. Cancer patients with a good QoL have a longer life expectancy and are able to lead a more productive and social life. The aim of the study was to determine the association of mental health with the QoL, as well as to determine significant predictors of QoL in patients with breast cancer (BC). Methods. The study included 118 patients treated at the Specialized Breast Cancer Department of the Oncology Clinic of the University Clinical Center Niš, Serbia. The study’s inclusion criteria were the presence of early-stage nonmetastatic BC and completed surgical treatment. The following questionnaires were used: the general sociodemographic questionnaire, Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS), Buss-Perry Aggression Questionnaire, Early Maladaptive Schema questionnaire - short form (SQ-SF), Flanagan’s Quality of Life Scale (QoLS), Holmes and Rahe Stress Scale, Berlin Social Support Scales (BSSS), Health Locus of Control. Results. A statistically significant negative correlation was found with emotional state, i.e., anxiety score, depressiveness score, total stress score, and physical aggression score, while QoL correlated positively with all subscales of the perceived social support (PSS) questionnaire. QoL was significantly different for patients with the following early maladaptive schemas: emotional deprivation, emotional inhibition, and a sense of entitlement/narcissism. Moreover, QoL differed significantly depending on partnership status, the presence of clinically significant anxiety, the presence of hormone-sensitive cancer, the presence of human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2)-positive cancer, and time since diagnosis. Multiple linear regression was per-formed, and depression and PSS had the highest share. Conclusion. In our study, the presence of depressiveness and PSS were the best predictors of QoL of BC survivors.

Introduction: A new approach of social therapy for criminal offenders was applied in Penalty Facility in Niš, Serbia. It is based on three month peer-training focusing on recognizing of triggers for anger, understanding emotional manifestation and learning socially acceptable ways of anger expression. Objectives: To estimate how the impact of pear-based training influences the level of agression of criminal offenders in prison settings. Methods: One hander and six prisoners were randomly assigned to program. The six previously educated inmates trained the participants through 12 work-shops. An independent professional evaluated change in aggression levels after training using Buss&Perry Aggression Scale. We compared subgroups with shorter versus longer sentences pre and post training using Student's t test. And univariate logistic regression analysis for impacts of sociodemographic variables on aggression scores. Results: We found a significant higher scores of anger (6.6 ± 4.7 & 11.8 ± 4.2, p=0,043) hostility (15.5 ± 8 & 20.1 ± 6.5, p=0,029) and total aggression (32 ± 14 & 48 ± 21, p=0,023 in subgroup with longer sentences at baseline. After training anger (12.4 ± 4.8 & 15.5 ± 5.6, p= 0,0167), physical aggression (14.6 ± 51. & 17.2 ± 5.6 ,p=0,024) and total aggression score (55.5 ± 14.1 & 68.2 ± 18, p=0,0152) remained higher in the group with sentences more than five years. Lower education level is associated with undesirable outcome-higher level of aggression after training. Conclusions: Three months training was not sufficient for adopting skills for better control of aggressive behavior in criminal offenders never the less the length of the sentences. Disclosure of Interest: None Declared [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: According to immunological theories of schizophrenia prenatal and postnatal exposure to pathogens may contribute to the etiopathogenesis, suggesting that chronically activated immune system cells (macrophages and T lymphocytes) constantly secrete proinflammatory cytokines which affect the development and function of central nervous system. Objectives: In the present work we aimed to evaluate IL-1β plasma levels in schizophrenic patients during their first psychotic episode and to compare the obtained results to those from healthy subjects. Methods: Plasma was obtained from 32 drug-naive schizophrenic patients, without history of substance abuse or addiction, immediately after their admission to the medical ward, while the control samples were obtained from 20 healthy volunteers. Results: Levels of IL-1β were measured using ELISA assay, which measures IL-1β protein in a range from 7.81 to 500 pg/ml. Results revealed that the levels of IL-1β in patients with first psychotic episode were not increased and were below the limit of detection in all studied samples. The same was found in the samples belonging to the control group. Conclusions: These data contribute to the poll of knowledge and a still unresolved dogma about the etiopathogenesis of schizophrenia since the results obtained by some studies are also questioning this marker. Thus, whether or not an increase of IL-1β is congenital, acquired during the prodromal phase or absent until the time of first psychotic episode has not yet been investigated. Disclosure of Interest: None Declared [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The geoecological assessment of the natural potentials of the Montenegrin municipality of Šavnik for the purposes of recreational tourism is carried out in this work using the quantitative diversity method (V-Wert method). The main criteria used in this evaluation method are natural elements (forests, water areas, relief, climate) and land cover. For the evaluation, the whole procedure was implemented in the environment GIS (Geographic Information Systems) using the software QGIS 3.14. The evaluation results show that unfavorable areas occupy 247 km 2 (39%), conditionally favorable 185 km 2 (30%), favorable 141 km 2 (22%) and very favorable 54 km 2 (9%). Despite the significant natural potential, which is partially recognized by this method with certain advantages and disadvantages, recreational tourism and all forms of tourism are underdeveloped in the municipality.

Individuals with serious mental illness are more affected by emotional reactions, including suicidal behavior due to COVID‐19 and psychosocial consequences of pandemic. The current cross-sectional study aimed to explore the possible association of COVID-19 and suicidal behavior (suicide ideation and attempt) before and during pandemic-associated lockdown in Serbia. We retrospectively reviewed the clinical records of 104 adult psychiatric inpatients admitted at Psychiatric Clinic, University Clinic Center Niš, Serbia, after ending lockdown and compared the obtained results with 181 adult psychiatric inpatients admitted during the same period in 2019 and 2018. Suicide ideation were more frequent in 2020 comparing with 2019 and 2018 (25 vs 12.5%, vs 9.41%; p < 0.05). Around 28% of patients with suicide attempts were exposed daily to the information related to COVID-19 coming from social media, while this frequency was significantly lower, only 7.55% (p < 0.1), among patients with no suicide ideation or attempts. Adjustment disorder was more frequent among patients with suicide attempts in comparison to the patients with suicide ideation (32 vs 11%), especially in patients without suicide ideation and attempts (32 vs 0%, p < 0.001). Of all studied patients with suicide attempts during 2020, 60% were not in the previous psychiatric treatment before admission.

The expected economic growth of the EU27 and China by 2025 will lead to a further increase in the share of the Chinese economy in world GDP and the overtaking of the EU economy in 2022. The main contribution of this paper is the presentation and analysis of IMF projected GDPs for China and the EU27 in the period 2020-25, and assessing the impact of divergent GDP growth trends of the two economic giants on the further development in their bilateral relations. Namely, since the change in the global economic position causes geopolitical consequences, it is clear that the very expectation of such trends influences the decisions of political and economic actors today - such as the signing of the investment agreement between Brussels and Beijing, despite Washington's opposition. The EU's response to China's growing influence could be an attempt to mitigate Beijing's strategic challenge by creating a stronger transatlantic partnership, but it is uncertain that Washington will be willing to offer significant concessions to Brussels. An alternative scenario could involve strengthening the EU's "strategic autonomy", which would imply an attempt at a more independent geopolitical positioning, which would enable better relations with China and easier access to the country's huge market. The EU, the world's largest trading bloc and the largest trading partner of as many as 80 countries, will find it difficult to come to terms with its subordinate role in Sino-US competition and will remain focused on exploring synergies with both powers.

Wildfire is one of the most dangerous environmental stressors in most vegetation zones worldwide. Determining and monitoring this stressor is important because of the disturbances that occur during the burning of biomass in ecosystems, as well as because of the damage or suffering of organisms. In the last decade, a greater number of wildfires and burnt areas were recorded in Southern Europe and Montenegro. Therefore, it is important to develop optimal methodology and models to help in better management of forest protection against wildfire. The spatial component in firefighting plays a significant role in management. In this context, Remote Sensing and Geographic Information Systems (GIS) come to the fore, which analyze spatial data and turn it into useful information - models applied in practice. The study aims to geospatial assess condition of vegetation pre-wildfire and post-wildfire in study area of the Luštica peninsula in Montenegro during the summer of 2017. Open and publicly available Sentinel 2 satellite was used. The scaled index differenced Normalized Burn Ratio (dNBR) of burned vegetation was applied as an indicator for assessing the state of vegetation after a wildfire in the open source software Quantum GIS (QGIS). The results of the damage assessment of the burned area based on the applied scaled index reveal that the category of low severity occupies an area of 335.86 ha (7%), moderately-low severity 250.13 ha (5%), moderately-high severity 406.22 ha (8%), high severity 238.03 ha (5%). The unburned areas occupy an area of 3624.95 ha (75%). This study contributes to assessing vegetation conditions and other accompanying activities pre-wildfire and post-wildfire using modern open-source geospatial tools.

Introduction/Aim. Procrastination includes intentional post-poning of either starting or finalizing a task and is one of the most important aspects of an academic achievement. The aim of this study was to examine the possibility of procrastination prediction based on the values of certain personality traits and negative affective states (anxiety, depression, stress) in high school students. Methods. The research was conducted over a sample of 900 high school students from 9 high schools in Niš attending the 3rd and 4th grade. The research included the following instruments: The Big Five Inventory (BIF), Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale (DASS-21), as well as the Procrastination Scale. Results. The model consisting of personality traits was a statistically meaningful predictor of procrastination. Prediction variables found to be statistically significant were neuroticism, as a positive correlate of procrastination, and conscientiousness, as a negative correlate. None of the negative affectivity dimensions (anxiety, depressiveness and stress) was partially shown to be a significant predictor. Conclusion. The lack of conscientiousness can be considered to be the core of procrastination, whereas neuroticism, i.e. some of its facets, such as anxiety, may be encouragement to avoid a task. Obtained results may be used as suggestions to psychological institutions in schools as to which factors are significant for perceiving procrastination problems with students.

Background/Aim. A type of personality and negative emotional reactions could be important for clustering biological risk factors for a cardiovascular disease in patients with arterial hypertension (AH). This study investigated if the patients with AH and psychological characteristics of the Distressed Type of personality with elevated anxiety/depression/aggression, have a higher risk of metabolic syndrome (MS) and explored value of the assessed parameters for MS occurrence. Methods. A total of 85 patients with AH were included in the cross-sectional observational study. Type D Scale-14 (DS-14) was used to detect Type D (Distressed) personality. The Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) assessed the levels of anxiety and depression and the Buss Perry Aggression Questionnaire (BPAQ) was used for the assessment of aggression. The explored biological parameters included: blood pressure, lipid status, body mass index (BMI), the occurrence of diabetes mellitus (DM) and MS. Results. Type D patients were frequently more anxious, aggressive and had more frequent MS compared to non-type D. Type D females were younger, more anxious and had a greater prevalence of DM than those with non-type D personality. A multivariate analysis revealed that in type D personality patients with AH, depression had predictive value for MS. Conclusion. The occurrence of both MS and AH was in correlation with the type D personality, anxiety and depression. Early detection/treatment of depression in patients with AH and Type D personality could decrease a risk of metabolic syndrome.

Given the importance of trade performance to overall economic fundamentals, the question arises as to the extent that South East European Countries (SEEC) have successfully followed the successful transition path of Central and Eastern European Countries (CEEC). To address this issue, we use similarity indicators to calculate possible convergence between the export structures of SEEC and CEEC from 2007-2008 to 2018-2019. We then compute the value of the similarity coefficients of SEEC and CEEC export structures and compare them with EU import structures, and intra-industry trade for both SEEC and CEEC. Next, we calculate the qualitative changes of both SEEC and CEEC merchandise trade through the tendency of technology-intensive products. The results of these two groups are compared to determine whether SEEC trade performance is converging to that of the CEEC. The results show structural improvements and an above-average increase in SEEC trade since 2007. However, given the simultaneous, moderate qualitative trade progress in the CEEC, the convergence between these two groups is insufficient to close the gap in the foreseeable future.

The subject of this paper is the analysis of the Yugoslav-Turkish trade in 1920-1939. The main goal of the research is to point out the qualitative and quantitative indicators of trade between the two countries. In addition to the economic scientific approach, which is based on the analysis of statistical indicators derived from data on the exchange between the two countries, a historical approach was applied, which is reflected in the use of historical sources and contextual analysis of processes and events based on them. Despite the modest importance of mutual foreign trade, which could not be significantly affected by the dynamics of strong average annual growth of Yugoslav imports from Turkey, export-import flows between the two countries made a positive contribution to creating a much more important aspect of their relations: political, which was reflected in the signing of the Balkan Pact in 1934.

Various factors can motivate and encourage individuals to leave their country of origin and engage in the process of international migration. Large migration flows over the past few years, which are a consequence of the so-called refugee crisis in 2015, have resulted in a significant increase in academic interest in international migration. Although many factors can encourage international migration, people’s desire to increase their standard of living is undoubtedly one of the most important causes. This empirical study analyses the economic determinants of net international migration. It was conducted using techniques of econometric analysis of panel data on an extensive balanced panel data sample covering 136 countries over a period of 30 years (1990-2019). Although this study focuses on the analysis of the economic determinants of net international migration, it is necessary to point out that in this case it is not a one-way impact. Apart from the fact that economic indicators affect international migration, it is indisputable that there is an effect in the opposite direction, i.e. that migration flows significantly affect the economic performance of the origin and destination country. This influence can be realised through different mechanisms. The potential presence of reverse causality generates a problem of potentially endogenous regressors, which must be considered when selecting model estimation techniques. The estimation of the models was performed using the following two techniques that allow cross-section dependence: (i) standard common correlated effects pooled estimator (CCEP), which is based on the application of the ordinary least squares method; and (ii) modified common correlated effects pooled estimator, which is based on the application of the two-stage least squares method, allowing the presence of endogenous regressors. The obtained findings suggest that the impact of the unemployment rate on net international migration is negative. Estimates generated by the standard CCEP technique (as well as by the modified CCEP technique) show that an increase in the unemployment rate of 1% results in a decrease in net international migration by about 0.03 migrants (0.06 migrants) per 1,000 inhabitants. Education has a positive impact on net international migration. The standard CCEP technique (modified CCEP technique) points to the fact that a 1% increase in education results in an increase in net international migration of about 0.01-0.02 migrants (0.003 migrants) per 1,000 inhabitants. The level of development of the migrant network has a positive effect on net international migration. The standard and modified CCEP technique show that increasing the stock of migrants by 1% increases net international migration by about 0.04-0.05 migrants, i.e. by about 0.01 migrants per 1,000 inhabitants. Finally, estimates obtained using the standard CCEP technique suggest that a 1% increase in per capita gross domestic product (GDPpc) results in an increase in net international migration of about 0.01 migrants per 1,000 inhabitants, while the results of the modified and more credible CCEP technique show that growth in GDPpc by 1% implies a decrease in net international migration by about 0.02 migrants per 1,000 inhabitants. The negative effect of GDPpc could be rationalised by the existence of an inverted-U relationship between GDPpc and emigration (mobility transition curve). Acceptance of such an explanation requires that the following conditions be met: (i) there is an inverted-U relationship between emigration and GDPpc; (ii) the countries in the sample fit within the growing part of this relationship; and (iii) when GDPpc grows, emigration increases absolutely more than immigration.

Introduction: Salicylic acid is a lipophilic compound with keratolytic and antiseptic effects. It is used only locally. The acid's fungicidal effect is notable in dermatology. Salicylic acid promotes desquamation of an infected area and represents an important ingredient of Whitfield's cream. Liquid-liquid extraction is often used during the sample preparation for the analyses of this type of compounds in various samples. Aim: The aim of this work was to investigate the effect of inorganic salts on the extraction of salicylic acid from aqueous solutions with diethyl ether. Material and methods: Extraction of salicylic acid from NaCl, KCl, and (NH4)2SO4 aqueous solutions of various concentrations was studied by using diethyl ether as an organic solvent. Absorbances of aqueous solutions were measured before and after extraction at the wavelength of the absorption maximum of the investigated compound. Results: The absorbance values of the aqueous phase prior to (A0) and after extraction (A) were used to calculate distribution coefficients (D) for the extraction of salicylic acid in the presence of different salts. Salting-out constants (Ks) for individual salts were determined based on the distribution constant dependence on salt concentration. Conclusion: It has been shown that all examined salts enhance the extraction of salicylic acid and the order of values for salting-out constants is: Ks((NH4)2SO4) > Ks(NaCl) > Ks(KCl). The results of this study may be important for improving the sensitivity of analytical methods for the salicylic acid determination in which extraction is used for sample preparation, as well as for the characterization of salicylic acid. Also, our work presents a contribution to the study of the salting-out effect which is significant for the characterization of pharmacologically active substances.

Background/Aim. Chest pain of no heart origin resembles angina and when none medical reason is found, the patients are referred to psychiatrist for further assessment. The aim of this reserch was to determine psychological characteristics of the patients with non-coronary chest pain (NCCP), difference compared to the coronary patients and the predictive value of those parameters for NCCP. Methods. Fourty consecutively recruited patients without a diagnose of heart disease (NCCP group) were examined and compared to 45 coronary patients (C group). For psychiatric diagnose, the Mini-International Neuropsychiatric Interview (MINI) was used. Psychological symptoms were assessed by the Symptom Checklist-90-Revised (SCL-90R), exposure to life events was scored by the Holms &Rahe Scale and levels of anxiety and depressiveness by the Back Anxiety Inventory and Back Depression Inventory. The statistical analysis was done by using the software package SPPS17. The Student’s- t test and χ2-test were used for estimating more difference between groups while ANOVA determined parameters associated with NCCP. Results. The NCCP patients were younger (33.40 ± 5.43 vs. 48.37 ± 6.43, p < 0.001), more anxious (20.47 ± 11.93 vs. 9.63 ± 3.86, p < 0.001), had more exposure to life events (102.03 ± 52.22 vs. 46.5 ± 55.08, p < 0.001) and were more distressed (41.37 ± 7.70 vs. 29.37 ± 5.67, p < 0.001), while coronary patients were more depressed and hostile. The regression analysis indicated that elevation in anxiety score for 1 point, means 25% of a higher chance [odds ratio (OR) = 1.25; 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.10–1.41] and elevation in the Life events score, means 2% of a higher chance that subject belonged to the NCCP group (OR = 1.02; 95% CI: 1.01–1.03). The younger subjects were more likely to have non-cardiac chest pain (OR = 0.58, 95% CI: 0.42–0.80). Conclusion. The results suggested that the patients with NCCP had none associated psychiatric disorder, but showed higher distress level, more exposure to negative life events and moderate anxiety level. Psychological help could be of a benefit to prevent possible psychiatric issues in young people with non-cardiac chest pain.

The role of schools for the education of students with disabilities is associated with the context of inclusive education in different ways. On the one hand, they are accepted as institutions that, in their full capacity, can and should support education and social inclusion, while another approach considers that further existence of these schools is a reflection of the lack of the inclusion process. The aim of this paper is to determine the role of these schools and the changes that have occurred in their work since 2009, when inclusive education was introduced into the Serbian educational system. The sample covered all 48 schools for the education of students with disabilities on the territory of the Republic of Serbia. For the needs of the research, a questionnaire for collecting data from these schools was prepared at the Institute for the Improvement of Education. The results showed that the network of these institutions has not changed, but that users have changed at all levels of education, since these schools now educate children with several types of disabilities. The number of defectologists is higher in Belgrade and Vojvodina than in the rest of Serbia, (p

In order to preserve the environment and prevent the occurrence of eutrophication, a new quaternary ammonium biosorbent based on the bottle gourd (Lagenaria vulgaris) shell (QALVS) was prepared and characterized in the present study. The results of FTIR and elemental analyses confirmed the successful modification of the lignocellulosic biomass and showed that 15.68 mg N g-1 was incorporated as cationic –N+R3 group. The biosorbent was tested to remove phosphate from aqueous solution in batch mode. Kinetic studies indicated that the biosorption of phosphate onto QALVS can be fitted by a non-linear pseudo nth-order model (n ≈ 1) very well. The Freundlich model provided the best description of the biosorption process. The maximum phosphate biosorption capacity was 16.69 mg P g-1 for QALVS at 20°C and pH 6. Thermodynamic parameters indicate that the biosorption of phosphate by QALVS is exothermic. The anion exchange mechanism was the dominant process, in addition to physisorption. Coexisting ions exhibited a distinct effect on phosphate biosorption with the order of NO3 - > SO4 2- > Cl-. The QALVS biosorbent could be repeatedly used in phosphate biosorption with slight losses in initial biosorption capacities

Background/Aim. Depersonalization is considered to be the third leading symptom in psychiatric morbidity. The aim of this study was to investigate the correlation of depersonalization and different patterns of suicidal behaviour in patients suffering from depresssive disorder. Methods. The study included 119 depressed patients divided into two groups: the first group consisted of depressed patients with clinically manifested depersonalization according to the Cambridge Depresonalisation Scale presented score ≥ 70, and the second group consisted of the patients whithout clinically manifested depersonalization symptomatology, or, it was on the subsyndromal level. Subsequently, these two groups were compared regarding the suicidality indicators. Results. According to the Scale for Suicide Ideation of Beck, the depressed patients with depersonalization had statistically significantly higher scores regarding suicidal ideation, both active and passive, more often manifested suicidal desire, suicidal planning and overall suicidality (p < 0.000). Positive ideation, as a protective factor, was reduced in this group (p < 0.000). These patients had more previous suicide attempts (p < 0.001) and family history of suicides (p = 0.004). The depressed patients with depersonalization had 8 times more often active suicidal desire, 11 times more often passive suicidal desire and 5 times more often suicidal planning compared to patients without depersonalization. Conclusion. Suicidal potential, manifested in various patterns of suicidal behaviour among the patients suffering from depressive disorder with clinically manifested depersonalization is prominent. It is necessary to pay particular attention to depersonalization level during diagnostic and treatment procedure of the depressed patients having in mind that it may be associated with high suicidal potential.

Background/Aim. The co-occurrence of depression and tobacco smoking among treated alcoholics is frequent, but understudied. Some findings suggest that there are some shared etiological factors, but a few clinical researches of personality dimensions among patients with these comorbidities were done. The personality dimensions, the pattern of cigarette use and depression and correlation of personality and depression among inpatient alcoholics were explored. Methods. One hundred primary male inpatient alcoholics were consecutively recruited. The eighty-six of them completed study and were compared with 30 age-matched, healthy male subjects. A semi-structured clinical interview related to sociodemographics, the pattern of cigarette and alcohol use and family history data was applied. According to cut-off on the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HDRS), the alcoholics were divided into depressive and non-depressive subgroups resulting in half of alcoholics in each subgroup. The Eysenck personality questionnaire (EPQ) was completed. Student's t-test for differences and Pearson's test for correlation were used. Results. There were no significant sociodemographic differences between groups. Alcoholics were more frequent smokers (86% vs. 50%). They did not start drinking earlier, but they started smoking earlier, with higher daily cigarettes use than controls. On average, alcoholics had mild depression after detoxification. The personality dimensions did not show differences between groups, except neuroticism. The neuroticism showed significantly higher level among alcoholics vs. controls (12.72 ± 5.19 vs. 5.00 ± 3.36 respectively) and among depressive vs. non-depressive alcoholics (15.07 ± 4.89 vs. 10.37 ± 4.40 respectively). The depression correlated only with neuroticism (r = 0.487, p < 0.001). Conclusions. The majority of detoxified alcoholics were smokers who started smoking earlier, with mild depression and higher neuroticism compared to controls. Our results suggest that the alcoholics with high neuroticism may experience higher depression and may require more intensive integrative treatment.

This article presents the findings from measurements of winter minimum temperatures taken over a period of several years in the high mountain karst depression of Valoviti Do on the Durmitor massif (Montenegro), and compares them with temperatures measured in the network of official stations operated by the Montenegro Hydrometeorological Institute. We took into consideration meteorological stations that are located in the coldest sites of Montenegro. The results of the measurements showed that winter minimum temperatures in high mountain depressions of Montenegro are considerably lower than the temperatures measured in the framework of the national network of meteorological stations, which are rarely located in the mountain environment. In the course of taking measurements in five nonconsecutive winter seasons in the period from 2007 to 2015 we also measured the lowest temperature recorded to date in Montenegro, -40 °C.

This study is dedicated to empirical testing of barriers to competition effect on productivity growth, taking into account the hypothesis that different policies improve economic growth in countries at different levels of technological development. The results of econometric analysis of two panel data sets comprising 144 countries (not controlled for education) and 128 countries (controlled for education) have demonstrated that when approaching the technology frontier, countries with high barriers to competition lose their productivity growth much faster than countries with a low barrier, which is the direct result of the decreasing but positive influence of barriers to competition on productivity growth, regardless of whether the economy is underdeveloped or advanced. This positive effect of barriers can be rationalized by Romer’s (1990) product variety model; or possibly by the inverted-U pattern between competition and innovation proved by Aghion et al. (2005), under the assumption that these sample countries are on the downward slope. Finally, the positive effect of barriers, irrespective of the degree of the countries’ technological development, implies that the theory is not completely consistent with empirical data. [Project of the Serbian Ministry of Education, Science and Technological Development, Grant no. III47010 and Grant no. 179014]