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Background: The influence of homeostatically regulated physiological processes, including cardiorespiratory fitness (VO2max), on the response to physical stressors such as acclimatisation and marching, remains understudied. We aimed to investigate the effects of summer and winter acclimatisation and marching on cortisol levels and blood lactate, to gain insight into the role of these physiological processes in the stress response. Methods: Two groups of young Europeans, classified as poor (PCF; n=9) and good physical condition (GCF; n=21), based on a VO2MAX threshold of 40 mL O2/ kg/min, underwent 2-h March (6-7 km/h) in winter (5˚C) and summer (32˚C). Commercial tests, UniCel DxI Access Cortisol assay and EKF Biosen Clinic/GP assay were used for cortisol and lactate blood measurements (morning samples and those taken immediately after marches), respectively. Results: Basal cortisol levels were significantly higher at 5°C than at 32°C (PCF group: P=0.0079; cortisol dropped after the March at 5°C in both groups, but increased at 32°C only in PCF. Basal lactate levels were higher at 32°C only in the GCF group (compared to PCF, P=0.0014) and post-marching (compared to basal values, P=0.0002). Conclusion: Cold exposure elicits a more significant stress response, based on higher basal cortisol levels, in individuals with worse physical fitness. Anaerobe metabolism prevails in participants with better physical fitness exposed to high ambient temperature based on increased basal and post-marching lactate levels. The study is significant for individual training/performance optimisation as it indicates the association between physiological stress responses and individual physical fitness levels.

The criminal justice and criminological aspects of the study includes an analysis of the system of protection of life and physical integrity of the Republic of Serbia in the last two decades. The research of criminal law protection of life and body was conducted on the basis of legal-dogmatic, comparative and statistical methods, with a comprehensive analysis of the type and amount of sentences imposed on adult perpetrators of crimes against life and body in the last twenty years. The paper starts from two key hypotheses: the first - that today the number of punishable behaviors by which the protective object is human life and body is significantly higher than twenty years ago, and the second - that two decades ago crimes against life and body were more severe penalties compared to today. Although the punishments were stricter at the end of the 1990s (the death penalty was also prescribed), the RS Criminal Code prescribed a much smaller number of crimes against life and body compared to today. However, it should be concluded that a larger number of prescribed criminal offenses does not lead to more penalties nor to the imposition of heavier sentences. The study and comparison criminal and criminological sources has led to results - a significantly increased number of new incriminations of illegal behavior in the past two decades (murder with reckless violence, murder of a child or pregnant woman, murder of a family member he previously abused, female genital mutilation, etc.). The legislator is making a big step forward in 2019 when he introduces a life sentence in the RS Criminal Code, which has caused a lot of controversy. Statistical analysis of reports, charges and convictions for crimes against life and body indicates a rapid decline in the number of convictions in relation to the number of reports. In the segment of repressive measures, the death penalty was imposed in only one case in the period from 1998 to 2002, while the sentence of imprisonment for 40 years in the same period was imposed in only 62 cases. It should be noted that the short-term prison sentence of 3 (three) to 6 (six) months (a total of 2692 sentences in the observed period) was most often imposed. Mild penal policy and too many crimes against life and body lead to inefficiencies in the judiciary.

Background/Aim. Recent studies indicate that adipokines have an important role in bone physiology and pathology. Recent data indicate that adipokine leptin functions as a regulator of bone growth at multiple levels, systemically and locally. So far, it has been shown that leptin influences bone volume and bone mineral density in a population with metabolic and/or hormonal abnormality. Data concerning leptin values in non-obese children with fractures are scarce. Methods. This study included 93 non-obese children with long bone fractures (LBF), 14 children with short bone fractures (SBF), and 19 healthy children. Leptin concentration was determined in two blood samples (day 0 and day 21) and analyzed according to gender, fracture type, anatomical localization of the fracture, fracture topography, callus formation, and the healing outcome. Results. Children with LBF demonstrated significantly increased leptin levels compared to the control group (both day 0/day 21). In the control group, girls had significantly more leptin than boys. Leptin value was significantly influenced by anatomical localization since boys and girls with humerus fracture and girls with femur fracture had the highest average leptin concentration in the initial sample. Boys with incomplete callus formation had the highest leptin concentration (both day 0 /day 21), significantly elevated compared to boys’ samples in the control group, boys’ samples with an intermediary and well-formed callus, and also increased compared to the initial samples of girls with incomplete callus. Better callus formation in girls was associated with an increment of leptin concentrations in the second over the initial sample. Girls with partially and satisfactorily formed callus had significantly increased leptin concentration in the second sample (day 21) compared to the boys’ group. Conclusion. Leptin concentration was significantly increased (both samples) in children with LBF compared to children with SBF and corresponding controls. Leptin concentration was highly influenced by gender. High blood leptin concentrations in boys or low leptin concentrations in girls immediately upon fracture could be used to identify groups of children with incomplete callus formation.

Background/Aim. The inflammatory response is of utmost importance in bone healing, but the precise role of cells and cytokines remains unclear. In our study, we examined the as-sociation between interleukin-1β (IL-1β), tumor necrosis fac-tors alpha (TNF-α), monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1) and interleukin-8 (IL-8) concentrations, fracture configuration, and callus formation. Methods. Serum cyto-kine concentrations were determined in 78 non-obese chil-dren with long bone fractures (group 1), 10 children with fin-ger fractures (group 2), and 10 healthy controls (group 3). Blood samples were taken immediately after fracture upon hospital admission for groups 1 and 2. Differences in cyto-kine concentrations were analyzed among groups and catego-rized according to fracture configuration and callus for-mation. Results. IL-1β and TNF-α levels were lower in pa-tients that went on to produce incomplete callus compared with patients that formed complete callus. Surprisingly, the average IL-1β concentration was highest in the healthy con-trol group. The only significant correlation between IL-1β and TNF-α was in the group with moderate callus formation. MCP-1 level was slightly increased in all patient groups com-pared to controls, with no mutual difference. An average IL-8 level showed a clear decrease tendency from the group with incompletely formed callus toward the group with completely formed callus compared to controls, without significant dif-ference. Children with epiphysiolysis had the lowest concen-trations of cytokines compared with all other fracture types including transverse, oblique, and spiral. There were signifi-cantly lower concentrations of IL-1β and MCP-1 in patients with less fragment displacement compared with patients with greater fragment displacement. Conclusion. The systemic in-flammatory response is important in physiological bone heal-ing. High early production of IL-1β, TNF-α, and MCP-1 is associated with greater callus formation and better healing outcome, while increased IL-8 level is associated with poor callus formation and worse healing outcome. Our results in-dicate that epiphysiolysis and larger fragment displacement are associated with delayed fracture healing.

Background/Aim. Exposure of living organisms to γ-radiation results in the overproduction of free radicals. The aim of the study was to test if the subacute administration of micronized zeolite (MZC) accomplishes radioprotective role based on the evaluation of the status of oxidative stress (OS) in the brain and 8-hydroxyguanosine (8-OH-dG) in the plasma of the rats exposed to the single γ-ray irradiation of 2 and/or 10 Gray (Gy). Methods. Wistar rats were on a four-week normal or 5% MZC supplemented diet and afterward exposed to the single γ-ray irradiation of 2 and 10 Gy. Groups of rats were: a) on a normal diet (the control group, and 2Gy and 10Gy groups); b) on 5% MZC supplemented diet (the control group – MZC, MZC + 2Gy, and MZC + 10Gy groups). We measured malondialdehyde (MDA), glutathione (GSH) total, and activity of total super-oxide dismutase (tSOD) and manganese superoxide dismutase (MnSOD) in vulnerable brain regions (cerebellum, hippocampus, and cerebral cortex) and 8-OH-dG in plasma. Results. Lower MDA was found in the MZC+2Gy and MZC+10Gy groups compared to the 2Gy and 10Gy groups. Activity od total SOD was higher in the MZC+10Gy group than in the 10Gy one. GSH was the highest in the 10Gy group. Compared to the control group, 8-OH-dG was extremely higher in groups radiated with 10 Gy regardless of a diet, but slightly lower in the MZC+2Gy and 2Gy groups. Conclusion. Subacute MZC pretreatment accomplished partial radioprotective effect in irradiated rats compared to non-irradiated rats, based on suppressed SOD activity at 2 Gy, and reduced brain MDA when exposed to 2 Gy and 10 Gy.

In recent years, it has been increasingly striving to make the criminal procedure efficient and at the same time economical. In line with the established international legal standards, the Republic of Serbia for the first time, by the Code of Criminal Procedure since 2006, regulated the agreement on the recognition of a criminal offense. The reformed Code of Criminal Procedure since 2011 introduced two similar criminal procedural forms, an agreement on the testimony of the defendant and an agreement on the testimony of the convicted person. In a short time as it exists in our judicial practice, the agreement on the recognition of a crime has yielded very successful results. It proved to be extremely efficient and economical. By the agreement on the defendant's testimony, the defendant acknowledges the commission of a criminal offense and assumes the obligation to testify against the accomplice. The purpose of this institute is that the public prosecutor obtains a reliable prosecution witness who would contribute to the condemnation of his accomplice with his testimony. As in the literature, the agreement on the recognition of the criminal offense and the defendant's testimony, it gives the character of simplified criminal procedural forms, the author aims to determine whether indeed all segments of the principles of the process economy are realized in relation to the defendant.

In the context of international and national normative framework, the production and marketing of narcotic drugs is permitted only for medical and scientific purposes. Any activity that exceeds these legally established boundaries constitutes an abuse. The criminal offense of illicit production and marketing of narcotic drugs is a form of abuse which has more serious features if it is committed by a criminal organization. Organized production and trafficking of narcotics expands the availability of narcotics on the market, which necessarily increases the number of executors, the supply in the drug market, and the number of consumers. In such circumstances, rigorous criminal policy is fully justified, but it is often counterproductive, given that the narco-mafia is more active than ever in this field. On the other hand, the Serbian legislator does not provide for the prohibition of mitigating the sentence, which gives the perpetrator the opportunity to participate in negotiations with the public prosecutor (plea bargaining). Thus, a number of perpetrators of the criminal offense envisaged in Article 246 (para. 4) were prosecuted on a regular basis by the Prosecutor's Office for Organized Crime and the cases have been tried before the Special Court for Organized Crime. However, since 2013, as a result of abolishing the upper limit of imprisonment, criminal offenders may enter into plea bargaining agreements (on recognition of the committed criminal offenses). There is no doubt about the effectiveness of the latter proceedings, but it is still debatable whether general and special prevention can be achieved by mitigating the punishment.

We investigated the effect of disulfiram (DSF) on reproductive toxicity induced by subchronic exposure to cadmium (Cd). We examined the redox status and systemic testosterone changes in the testes and plasma of Cd-treated male Wistar rats. Rats were treated with 1 mg CdCl2/kg body weight (bw)/day (intraperitoneal administration) for 42 days; in the second experimental group, rats were given 178.5 mg DSF/kg bw/day by oral gavage for 21 days; in the third group, after administration of Cd for 21 days, DSF treatment was introduced on day 22 and lasted until day 42, with continuous Cd intake. Each experimental group had a matching control: untreated rats, rats that received for 21 days olive oil, the solvent for DSF; rats that started with olive oil intake from days 22-42. Exposure of rats to DSF modulated the oxidative status in the testes; thus, coexposure increased the Cd-induced reduction in total superoxide dismutase (tSOD), catalase (CAT), glutathione reductase (GR) and total glutathione-S-transferase (tGST) activities, and lowered the Cd-increased superoxide anion radical (O2 •–) and malondialdehyde (MDA) concentrations. DSF did not affect testosterone production diminished by Cd, as Leydig cells, once impaired by Cd, could not be reactivated by DSF. [Project of the Serbian Ministry of Education, Science and Technological Development, Grant no. III41018] This article has been corrected. Link to the correction 10.2298/ABS200226010E

Background: Overproduction of free radicals accompanied with their insufficient removal/neutralization by antioxidative defense system impairs redox hemostasis in living organisms. Oxidative stress has been shown to be involved in all the stages of carcinogenesis and malignant melanocyte transformation. The aim of this study was to examine association between oxidative stress development and different stages of melanoma. Methods: The measured oxidative stress parameters included: superoxide anion radical, total and manganese superoxide dismutase, catalase and malondialdehyde. Oxidative stress parameters were measured spectrophotometrically in serum samples from melanoma patients (n=72) and healthy control subjects (n=30). Patients were classified according to AJCC clinical stage. Results: Average superoxide anion and malondialdehyde concentrations were significantly higher in melanoma patients than in control group, with the highest value of superoxide anion in stage III, while malondialdehyde highest value was in stage IV the activity of total and manganese superoxide dismutase was insignificantly higher in melanoma patients than in control group, while catalase activity was significantly higher. The highest activity of total superoxide dismutase was in stage III, while the highest activity of manganese superoxide dismutase was in stage IV Catalase activity was increasing with the disease progression achieving the maximum in stage III. Conclusions: Results of our study suggest that melanoma is oxidative stress associated disease, as well as deteriorated cell functioning at mitochondrial level.

Background/Aim. Survivin is a multifunctional protein abundantly expressed in tumors of various types, including melanoma. There are still sparse data regarding relationship of melanoma cell survivin expression with accepted histopathological characteristics as well as serum concentration. The aim of this study was to investigate the association of local tumor survivin expression (primary tumor and metastatic lesions) and serum concentration with clinical and histopathological parameters in melanoma patients. Methods. The level of survivin expression was determined immunocytochemically in tumor tissue and with ELISA test in the serum of 84 melanoma patients diagnosed from 2009 to 2013 at the Institute for Pathology and Forensic Medicine and Institute for Medical Research at Military Medical Academy, Belgrade, Serbia. Results. The intensity of survivin expression was significantly higher in the patients whose tumor had ulceration, higher mitotic index, higher Clark and Breslow stage, that made vascular invasion or spread through lymphatic vessels in primary tumor, and was significantly higher in the patients with metastatic disease. Survivin expression and the number of survivin positive cells in metastatic lesions were significantly associated with the duration of disease free interval (DFI). The patients with high expression score had almost double shorter DFI comparing to those with weak local survivin expression and a small number of survivin+cells (9 ± 7 vs 19 ± 13 months, respectively). The degree of tumor infiltrating lymphocytes presence in tumor tissue was significantly associated with serum survivin concentration, with lowest average level detected in samples of patients with the highest degree of infiltration. Serum survivin concentrations were highest in samples of melanoma patients with IA American Joint Commission on Cancer (AJCC) clinical stage, pT1a histological stage, patients whose tumors were still in horizontal growth phase, without signs of lympho-hematological disease spreading, with the highest number of mitoses and the smallest Clark index. Conclusion. Survivin expression in tumor tissue and its serum concetration significantly correlate with clinical and histopathological parameters. Serum levels could be important in initial follow-up as indicators of those patients that would have aggressive local tumor growth and spreading. Survivin determination in tumor tissue is of great significance in estimation of DFI.

Background/Aim. Kidney injury molecule-1 (KIM-1) and aquaporin-1 (AQP-1) are potential early urinary biomarkers of clear renal cell carcinoma (cRCC). The aim of this study was to ascertain relationship between the urine concentrations KIM-1 and AQP-1 with tumor size, grade, pT stage and type of operation (radical or partial nephrectomy) in patients with cRCC. Methods. Urinary concentrations of urinary KIM-1 (uKIM-1) and urinary AQP-1 (uAQP-1) were determined by commercially available ELISA kits. The analysis included 40 patients undergoing partial or radical nephrectomy for cRCC and 40 age- and sex-matched healthy adult volunteers. Results. The median preoperative concentrations of KIM-1 in the cRCC group [0.724 ± 1.120 ng/mg urinary creatinine (Ucr)] were significantly greater compared with controls (healthy volunteers) (0.210 ± 0.082 ng/mgUcr) (p = 0.0227). Postoperatively, uKIM-1 concentration decreased significantly to control values (0.177 ± 0.099 ng/mgUcr vs 0.210 ± 0.082 ng/mgUcr, respectively). The size, grade and stage of tumor were correlated positively with preoperative uKIM-1 concentrations. Contrary to these results, concentrations of uAQP-1 in the cRCC group were significantly lower (0.111 ± 0.092 ng/mgUcr) compared with the control group (0.202 ± 0.078 ng/mgUcr) (p = 0.0014). Postoperatively, the concentrations of uAQP-1 increased progressively up to control values, approximately. We find no significant correlation between preoperative uAQP-1 concentrations and tumor size, grade and stage. Conclusion. uKIM-1 was found to be a reliable diagnostic marker of cRCC, based on its significantly increased values before and decreased values after the nephrectomy. [Projekat Ministarstva nauke Republike Srbije, br. III41018]

Background: The immune response in patients with me I anoma is an important focus of research due to the tumor's resistance and immunotherapy possibilities. IL-27 is one of the cytokines with antitumor properties. The role of IL-27 in the pathogenesis of melanoma is still unclear. The aim of this study was to examine the association between serum IL-27 levels and the clinical parameters of melanoma patients. Methods: The IL-27 concentration was determined by commercial ELISA in serum samples from melanoma patients (n = 72) and healthy control subjects (n=44). Patients were classified according to AJCC clinical stage, TNM stage, the length of progression-free interval (PFI) and the extent of the disease (localized or widespread). Results: Average IL-27 values were increased in patients with early stages of melanoma compared to patients with terminal stages and control values. The highest IL-27 concentration was found in stage IIa. Patients in stages III and IV had significantly lower values of IL-27 compared to control. Patients with localized melanoma and shorter PFI had insignificantly increased IL-27 levels compared to patients with widespread disease and longer PFI. Patients with metastatic disease and stage TNM4 had significantly lower average IL-27 values compared to control. Patients with high production of IL-27 (>1000 pg/mL) were most numerous in IIa AJCC stage, with initial tumor size TNM2 and in the group of patients with localized disease. Conclusions: High levels of IL-27 in patients with melanoma are associated with the initial stages and localized disease.

Background/Aim. Several cytokines and lymphokines (IL1β, ENA78, IL6, TNFα, IL8 and S100A8) are expressed during dental pulp inflammation. Analysis of gingival crevicu-lar fluid (GCF) offers a non-invasive means of studying gen-eral host response in oral cavity. Although GCF levels of various mediators could reflect the state of inflammation both in dental pulp and gingiva adjacent to a tooth, GCF samples of those without significant gingivitis could be inter-preted as reflection of pulpal process. The aim of this study was to investigate IL9 GCF values in patients with dental car-ies and to assess possible influence of various dental fillings materials on local IL9 production. Methods. The study group included 90 patients, aged 18–70, with inclusion and exclusion criteria in the prospective clinical study. Of the 6 types of material used for the restoration of prepared cavities, 3 were intended for temporary and 3 for definitive restora-tion. According to dental fillings weight, all the participants were divided into 3 groups: those with fillings lighter than 0.50 g, those with 0.50–1.00 g, and those with fillings heavier than 1.00 g. Samples were taken from gingival sulcus using the filter paper technique. Clinical parameters were deter-mined by bleeding index, plaque index (Silness-Lou, 0–3), gingival index (0–3), and gingival sulcus depth. Cytokine con-centrations were assessed using commercially available cy-tomix. Results. According to the weight of dental fillings, there was a clear decreament trend of IL9 values meaning that dental defects greater than 1.00 g of dental filling were associated with lower GCF IL9 concentration. The IL9 val-ues correlated with the degree of gingival index and depth of gingival sulcus, being higher with more advanced gingivitis and more pronounced anatomical changes in the tooth edge. Different filling materials exerted various local IL9 responses. Zink polycarbonate cement and amalgam fillings induced a significant and long-lasting local IL9 decrement, while the use of Tetric EvoCeram and GMA-BISK significantly increased IL9 levels. Conclusion. The obtained results indicate that IL9 GCF could be regarded as a measure of odontoblasts’ re-sponse to the extensity of dental caries. The type of material used for dental fillings could profoundly alter biological func-tion of gingival and pulpal cells. Also, the results obtained in this study suggest that some materials could even enhance wound repair by modulating macrophage activation.

Diquat (DQ) neurotoxicity mechanisms are unknown, although, it's systemic toxicity is mediated by free radical reactions. The role of glutathione cycle was assessed by glutathione reductase (GR) applied in the pre-treatment of DQ poisoning. Wistar rats were used and tested compounds were administered intrastriatally (i.s.) in one single dose. Total glutathione (tGSH), glutathione disulfide (GSSG) and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) were measured in the vulnerable brain regions (VBRs) (striatum, hippocampus and cortex), at 30 minutes, 24 hours and 7 days post treatment. Results from the intact and the sham operated groups were not statistically different. Rapid spatial spreading of oxidative stress was confirmed in the examined VBRs. Mortality (30-40%, within 24hrs) and signs of lethargy were observed in the DQ group. Activity of GPx activity was elevated and GSSG/GSH was higher in the examined VBRs during the experiment, compared to the controls. The i.s. pre-treatment with GR achieved neuroprotective role against DQ induced neurotoxicity, based on animal survival, absence of lethargy and decreased GPx activity and GSSG/GSH in the examined VBRs during the experiment, compared to the DQ group. Our results confirmed that oxidation of GSH was the reason for the reduced antioxidative defense against DQ neurotoxicity. [Projekat Ministarstva nauke Republike Srbije, br. III41018]

The aim of this research was to determine some exterior and interior quality traits of Japanese quail eggs. A total of 60 Japanese quail eggs were collected from two different farms near Novi Sad, and the eggs quality traits were tested in the laboratory of poultry science at the Department of Animal Science of the Faculty of Agriculture in Novi Sad. The egg weight, albumen weight, yolk weight, shell weight, shell breaking force, shell thickness, albumen height and egg yolk colour were determined. The external and internal egg quality traits of quail eggs from two farms in Serbia do not differ from the results of quality traits from other countries.

In this study we examined if the response of the cortex against diquat (DQ), intrastriatally (i.s.) applied to Wistar rats, was mediated by oxidative/nitrosative stress (OS/NS). In particular, we were focused on the glutathione (GSH) antioxidative role, thus we applied i.s. glutathione reductase (GR) in the pre-treatment of DQ administration. Superoxide anion radical (O2 •-), nitrate (NO3 -), malondialdehyde (MDA) and superoxide dismutase (SOD), were measured in ipsi- and contra- lateral sides of the cortex, at 30 minutes, 24 hours and 7 days post treatment. The redox balance was not significantly changed in the cortex of sham operated and intact groups. Also, no differences were observed between the ipsi- and contra- lateral side of the cortex. Lethargy and mortality (30-40%) of the animals in the DQ group within 24 hrs, coincided with rapidly developed lipid peroxidation supported by OS/NS upon i.s. DQ administration. Strong redox potential of DQ probably resulted in a huge deprivation of molecular oxygen. The pretreatment with GR acted neuro-protectively, based on animal survival and absence of lethargy, although, lipid peroxidation was not developed in the GR+DQ group, OS was documented by a high concentration of O2 •- (within 24 hrs), descending and eventually inhibiting SOD activity (at 7 days). [Projekat Ministarstva nauke Republike Srbije, br. III41018]

Elevated free radical production and/or insufficient antioxidative defense results in cellular oxidant stress responses. Sustained and/or intense oxidative insults can overcome cell defenses resulting in accumulated damage to macromolecules, leading to loss of cell function, membrane damage, and ultimately to cell death. Oxidative stress (OS) can result from conditions including excessive physical stress, exposure to environmental pollution and xenobiotics, and smoking. Oxidative stress, as a pathophysiological mechanism, has been linked to numerous pathologies, poisonings, and the ageing process. Reactive oxygen species and reactive nitrogen species, endogenously or exogenously produced, can readily attack all classes of macromolecules (proteins, DNA, unsaturated fatty acid). The disrupted oxidative-reductive milieu proceeds via lipid peroxidation, altered antioxidative enzyme activities and depletion of non-enzymatic endogenous antioxidants, several of which can de detected in the pre-symptomatic phase of many diseases. Therefore, they could represent markers of altered metabolic and physiological homeostasis. Accordingly, from the point of view of routine clinical-diagnostic practice, it would be valuable to routinely analyze OS status parameters to earlier recognize potential disease states and provide the basis for preventative advance treatment with appropriate medicines.

This work was a part of an initial study regarding the involvement of reactive nitrogen species (RNS) in paraquat (PQ) neurotoxicity. The nitrate concentration in the vulnerable regions of the brain (cortex, striatum and hippocampus) of Wistar rats was used as a measure of nitric oxide (NO) production or catabolism of the formed RNS. The tissue homogenates were deproteinized with acetonitrile and then centrifuged. Nitrate was measured in filtrated supernatants by simple and rapid isocratic ion-exchange high performance liquid chromatography with UV detection (IE-HPLC-UV) at 214 nm. The mobile phase (pH 8.5) consisted of borate buffer/gluconate concentrate, methanol, acetonitrile and deionized water (2:12:12:74, v/v/v/v), and the flow rate was 1.3 mL/min. Physiological nitrate levels (18.8 ± 6.1 nmol/mg of proteins), as well as a diverse range of nitrate concentrations could be determined with good precision (CV = 2.2 %) and accuracy (recovery of spiked samples was 99 ± 4%) in the brain tissue homogenates. Linearity was achieved in the range of nitrate from 0-80 μM. The retention time of nitrate anion was 5.3 ± 0.3 min. .

Tax fraud, the most serious type of tax evasion, is the most frequently committed crime against the economy, both in the context of individual and organized crime. Given that it causes significant damage to the state budget, it occupies a significant place in the substantive and procedural legislative framework. The authors critically analyze tax fraud within the framework of the latest positive legal solutions. Lowering limit of criminal tax evasion opens certain issues of substantive and procedural nature. In addition, the link between tax fraud and corruption necessitates the inclusion of the aforementioned crime in the scope of work of special anti-corruption departments. In the case of high corruption, tax fraud is expected to be treated equally as existing and newly introduced crimes against the economy, which The Republic of Serbia has not bypassed in the National Anti-Corruption Strategy. The paper covers some of the issues of tax fraud processing and in accordance with that, proposals are presented de lege ferenda in the direction of overcoming possible difficulties in practice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The first indicator of the influence of adversarial elements in the criminal procedure of the Republic of Serbia was the establishment of the institute of cooperating witnesses less than two decades ago. Until 2011, the Code of Criminal Procedure was amended several times, so the material conditions for acquiring this procedural status changed accordingly. The final break with the long-standing criminal tradition was made, first by giving the defendant the opportunity to be a party in concluding a plea agreement, then guilt, and then from 2011 a party in concluding a testimony agreement. The paper first presents a comparative overview of the institute of witnesses associated in the domestic legislative framework through long - term legislation, and then points out their similarities and differences through certain specifics of the institute of cooperating witnesses. As the newly established legislation is not harmonized with the new procedural institute, it is pointed out the need to supplement the current legal solutions, especially in the part related to the procedural and program protection of the defendant associate. The focus of the subject is on criminal acts of organized crime. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]