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Population systems in which all three taxa of the Pelophylax esculentus complex coexist are rare and in Serbia can only be found along the Danube. Although several studies describe the diet in populations with only one taxon, there is a lack of data from mixed populations. We studied the diet in mixed populations of edible frogs at three sites for three years. We collected gut contents from 221 adult frogs using the stomach flushing method and identified 1,477 prey items. The diet consisted mainly of insects (88%). For all three taxa, the most frequently consumed prey groups were Hymenoptera (28%), Coleoptera (18%), Lepidoptera (17%) and Diptera (11%). Larger prey (in terms of length and volume) was mainly consumed by P. ridibundus, followed by P. esculentus. The smallest prey were mainly consumed by P. lessonae. However, P. ridibundus consumed fewer prey items than P. lessonae. No significant difference was found between the taxa in the staple diet, while there were differences in the less abundant prey categories, especially between P. ridibundus and P. lessonae. The narrowest trophic niche width was observed in P. lessonae, followed by P. esculentus, and the widest in P. ridibundus. Our results suggest that the diet of the three taxa is diverse and consists of a large number of invertebrate groups. However, the diet was locality-specific, with the dominance of different prey groups in different localities depending on habitat characteristics. These results confirm our expectation that the frogs of the Pelophylax esculentus complex follow an opportunistic foraging strategy, as predicted by optimal foraging theory. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this study was to investigate the differences of Clostridioides difficile infection (CDI) during the COVID-19 pandemic compared to the pre-COVID-19 era. CDI patients treated at the Clinic for Infectious Diseases, Clinical Center of Vojvodina, Serbia during 2017–2019 (n = 304) were compared with COVID-19/CDI patients treated in period September 2021–September 2022 (n = 387). Groups were compared by age, gender, comorbidities, previous medications, laboratory findings, and outcome within 30 days. In the CDI/COVID-19 group, we found: greater percentage of males 59.8% vs. 42.6% (p ≤ 0.001), older age 72.8 ± 9.4 vs. 65.6 ± 11.7 (p ≤ 0.001), higher Charlson comorbidity score (CCS) (3.06 ± 1.54 vs. 2.33 ± 1.34 (p ≤ 0.001), greater percentage of chronic renal failure (33.9% vs. 23.4% (p = 0.003), malignances (24.3% vs. 13.5% (p ≤ 0.001), chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (22.7% vs. 15.5% (p = 0.017), higher usage of macrolide (38.5% vs. 8.6% (p ≤ 0.001), greater percentage of patients with hypoalbuminemia ≤25 g/L (19.6% vs. 12.2% (p ≤ 0.001), lower percentage of patients with elevated creatinine (≥200 mmol/L) (31.5% vs. 43.8%) (p = 0.002), and greater percentage of lethal outcome 29.5% vs. 6.6% (p ≤ 0.001). In the prediction of lethal outcome multivariate regression analysis extracted as an independent predictor, only higher CRP values in the non-COVID-19 group and in the COVID-19 group: older age (p ≤ 0.001), CCS (p = 0.019) and CRP (p = 0.015). COVID-19 changes the disease course of CDI and should be taken into consideration when managing those patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: This study aimed to investigate the clinical form, risk factors, and outcomes of patients with COVID-19 and Clostridioides difficile co-infections. Methods: This retrospective study (2 September 2021–1 April 2022) included all patients with Clostridioides difficile infection (CDI) and COVID-19 infection who were admitted to the Covid Hospital of the University Clinical Center of Vojvodina. Results: A total of 5124 COVID-19 patients were admitted to the Covid Hospital, and 326 of them (6.36%) developed hospital-onset CDI. Of those, 326 of the CDI patients (88.65%) were older than 65 years. The median time of CDI onset was 12.88 days. Previous hospitalizations showed 69.93% of CDI patients compared to 38.81% in the non-CDI group (p = 0.029). The concomitant antibiotics exposure was higher among the CDI group versus the non-CDI group (88.65% vs. 68.42%, p = 0.037). Albumin levels were ≤ 25 g/L among 39.57% of the CDI patients and 21.71% in the non-CDI patients (p = 0.021). The clinical manifestations of CDI ranged from mild diarrhea (26.9%) to severe diarrhea (63.49%) and a complicated form of colitis (9.81%). Regarding outcomes, 79.14% of the CDI patients recovered and 20.86% had fatal outcomes in-hospital. Although a minority of the patients were in the non-CDI group, the difference in mortality rate between the CDI and non-CDI group was not statistically significant (20.86% vs. 15.13%, p = 0.097). Conclusions: Elderly patients on concomitant antibiotic treatments with hypoalbuminemia and with previous healthcare exposures were the most affected by COVID-19 and CD co-infections. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

There is a growing interest to document and better understand patterns and processes involved in nonnative bee introductions and subsequent colonisation of new areas worldwide. We studied the spread of the East Asian bee Megachile sculpturalis in Serbia and south-eastern Europe; the bee was earlier established in the USA (since 1994) and western Europe (since 2008). Its establishment in Serbia remained dubious throughout most of 2017–2019, following its first detection. We hereby report on its establishment and spreading, which were corroborated in 2019 under specific circumstances. Owing to an exceptionally poor blooming of Styphnolobium japonicum in 2019, we recorded a high activity density of M. sculpturalis concentrated on a scarce key food resource. We present a novel quantitative approach for an improved early detection of M. sculpturalis, based on the interplay between the bee local occurrence pattern and dynamics of key food-plant(s) availability. This approach seems particularly effective during the early-phase colonisation, at initially low population density of introduced bees. We address the importance of integration of the genuine plant usage patterns with context-specific bee assessment options in establishing effective monitoring. The improved understanding of M. sculpturalis local dynamics triggered the questions about possible origin(s) and modes of its dispersal east of the Alps. To explore the possible scenarios of M. sculpturalis introduction(s), we extended the study to a wider spatio-temporal context – the region of SE Europe (2015–2019). The two complementary study approaches (at local and regional scale) provided more comprehensive evidence of bee dispersal history and the detection patterns in varied recording contexts. Based on this two-scale approach, we suggest that a diffusive mode of M. sculpturalis introduction into Serbia now seems to be a more plausible scenario (than a long-distance jump). We argue that the integration of outcomes from the contrasting approaches (a systematic surveillance, based on plant resources and a broad-scale opportunistic recording) could be of great methodological relevance for the development of future monitoring protocols. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Most animals concentrate their movement into certain hours of the day depending on drivers such as photoperiod, ambient temperature, inter-or intraspecific competition, and predation risk. The main activity periods of many mammal species, especially in human-dominated landscapes, are commonly set at dusk, dawn, and during nighttime hours. Large carnivores, such as brown bears, often display great flexibility in diel movement patterns throughout their range, and even within populations, striking between individual differences in movement have been demonstrated. Here, we evaluated how seasonality and reproductive class affected diel movement patterns of brown bears of the Dinaric-Pindos and Carpathian bear populations in Serbia. We analyzed the movement distances and general probability of movement of 13 brown bears (8 males and 5 females) equipped with GPS collars and monitored over 1-3 years. Our analyses revealed that movement distances and probability of bear movement differed between seasons (mating versus hyperphagia) and reproductive classes. Adult males, solitary females, and subadult males showed a crepuscular movement pattern. Compared with other reproductive classes, females with offspring were moving significantly less during crepuscular hours and during the night, particularly during the mating season, suggesting temporal niche partitioning among different reproductive classes. Adult males, solitary females, and in particular subadult males traveled greater hourly distances during the mating season in May-June than the hyperphagia in July-October. Subadult males significantly decreased their movement from the mating season to hyperphagia, whereas females with offspring exhibited an opposite pattern with almost doubling their movement from the mating to hyperphagia season. Our results provide insights into how seasonality and reproductive class drive intrapopulation differences in movement distances and probability of movement in a recovering, to date little studied, brown bear population in southeastern Europe. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Understanding the movement pattern and ranging behavior of the Griffon vulture population in Serbia is of great importance for prioritizing conservation action. In 2011, an immature vulture was the first bird to be equipped with a satellite transmitter in Serbia. Our study aims to define the vulture's foraging areas, home ranges, core and basic areas, and to investigate movement patterns across different years and seasons by analyzing satellite telemetry data. We tracked the movements of the vulture for over three years and obtained satellite tracking data for 34 bird-months (1976 GPS fixes) between October 2011 and July 2014. We determined that the overall foraging area of the vulture across the entire study period was 11654.34 km2. The overall area used by the vulture was larger during spring and summer than during winter periods. Combined ranges across all years identified one basic area and its associated core area around the Uvac colony and nearby feeding site; we identified three core areas in its proximity. This study showed that areas of traditional stock-raising practices are important vulture foraging areas and that supplementary feeding sites have a vital role. Our maps can be used for future planning of vulture conservation measures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background/Aim. Congenital malformations still represent one of the most important causes of prenatal and infant death. The study aim was to analyze occurrence, outcomes and risk factors of different types of congenital anomalies. Methods. The study included all pregnant women directed to Clinic of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Clinical Center of Serbia, Belgrade due to prenatally diagnosed congenital fetal anomalies during past ten years (January 1, 2008-December 31, 2017). Upon admission to our Clinic a detailed general medical and obstetrical history were taken from every patient. All women underwent genetic testing. Ultrasonography and magnetic resonance were diagnostic methods for fetal malformations confirmation. Results. The study included 773 pregnant women aged from 18 to 46 years. Out of registered nine different groups of fetal anomalies/malformations, the most common were malformations of the central nervous system, while majority of fetuses had combined multiple anomalies. Genetic cause for congenital anomalies was present in 25.2% of pregnancies. Medical pregnancy abortion was performed in 71.8% of cases. Only 10.2% of pregnancies ended in term. The best outcome for children was obtained in case of gastrointestinal anomalies (52% live born). Contrary, only one child with neck and thorax malformations could be saved. According to logistic regression the most important predictor of having a child with combined multiple anomalies was mother's age, while predictor of central nervous system anomalies was gestational diabetes. The significant predictor of genetic anomalies was mother's age. Conclusion. In our sample neurological congenital anomalies were the most common, although abnormalities of all organ systems were registered. Majority of pregnancies had to be discontinued due to combined multiple anomalies caused by genetic disorders. Older mother's age and diabetes can imply on the increased risk for fetal malformations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background/Aim. Twins conceived by assisted reproduction techniques (ART) are the most susceptible for perinatal complications. The aim of this study was to examine the role of prenatal noninvasive fetal screening of the first and second trimester in prediction of delivery time of ART conceived twins. Methods. Prospective cohort study of all ART conceived twin pregnancies was conducted at the Clinic for Obstetrics and Gynecology, Clinical Center of Serbia, during the period from January 1, 2016 to December 31, 2017. In the 12th gestational week (GW) twins crown-rump lenght (CRL) and thickness nuchal translucency (NT) were measured ultrasonographically. Moreover, serum levels of beta subunit of human chorionic gonadotropin (β hCG) and pregnancy-associated plasma protein A (PAPPA) were assessed. In the 17th GW twins biparietal diameter (BPD), abdominal circumference (AC) and femur length (FL) were determined ultrasonografically. Additionally, β hCG, alphafetoprotein (AFP), estriol (E3) and inhibin (INH) were measured in mothers serum. The GW of delivery was noted for each pregnancy. Results. Study included 100 pregnant women with mean age 35.44 ± 5.82. In the examined sample of ART conceived twins significantly more (51%) were delivered in term (= 35 GW) (p = 0.001). Delivery time correlated negatively with NT and first trimester β hCG serum levels, while it correlated positively with FL of the smaller twin, second trimester β hCG, AFP and E3 concentrations. According to obtained model for prediction of delivery time in ART conceived twin pregnancies based on first trimester diagnostic tests the significant predictors were PAPPA and β hCG in the 12th GW as well as NT of the first larger twin. Nevertheless, reliability (sensitivity 50%-75%, specificity 30%-40%) of these diagnostic tests was moderate. Conclusion. Prenatal noninvasive fetal screening of the first and second trimester (ultrasonography and laboratory testing) can be used for prediction of delivery time of ART conceived twins. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: The western honey bee, a pollinator species that is essential for modern agriculture and food production sustainability, is under various anthropogenic pressures. In the last few decades, these have led to serious worldwide problems concerning the health and stability of honey bee colonies. The importance of wild or feral honey bees has only recently been recognized, as these populations are crucial for research on the processes that enable their survival under such pressures. Here, we present a case of an unmanaged free-living population of honey bees that, unlike in other known studies, live in a highly populated urban environment. This extraordinarily dense feral honey bee population, which is not directly associated with managed apiaries, provided us with a large dataset of various life history parameters that will considerably fill in the knowledge gaps on unmanaged colonies. Furthermore, we want to underline the importance of citizen science in the data collection process and suggest it as a suitable approach to study feral honey bees in urban landscapes. We believe that highly populated urban landscapes can support and reinforce feral honey bees and that similar citizen science projects should be set up in other urban areas or other countries. It is assumed that wild honey bees have become largely extinct across Europe since the 1980s, following the introduction of exotic ectoparasitic mite (Varroa) and the associated spillover of various pathogens. However, several recent studies reported on unmanaged colonies that survived the Varroa mite infestation. Herewith, we present another case of unmanaged, free-living population of honey bees in SE Europe, a rare case of feral bees inhabiting a large and highly populated urban area: Belgrade, the capital of Serbia. We compiled a massive data-set derived from opportunistic citizen science (>1300 records) during the 2011–2017 period and investigated whether these honey bee colonies and the high incidence of swarms could be a result of a stable, self-sustaining feral population (i.e., not of regular inflow of swarms escaping from local managed apiaries), and discussed various explanations for its existence. We also present the possibilities and challenges associated with the detection and effective monitoring of feral/wild honey bees in urban settings, and the role of citizen science in such endeavors. Our results will underpin ongoing initiatives to better understand and support naturally selected resistance mechanisms against the Varroa mite, which should contribute to alleviating current threats and risks to global apiculture and food production security. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The adsorption properties of local clinoptilolite (Serbia) towards Cs+, Co2+, and Sr2+ were investigated by batch equilibration technique. The influence of equilibration time, initial metal cation concentration, solution pH and presence of EDTA on these properties was studied and discussed. Kinetic data were found to be well fitted with pseudo-second order kinetic model. Cs+ is preferably adsorbed by the natural clinoptilolite, followed by Sr2+ and Co2+. The Langmuir adsorption isotherm was used to determine the adsorption capacities from both single and mixed metal solutions. At pH range of 3–12 the adsorption of Cs+ remains almost constant, while at low pH (2–3) the adsorption is lesser. At initial pH range of 2–10 adsorption of Sr2+ remains approximately stable, whereas at initial pH>10 adsorption increases significantly. The adsorption of Co2+ is low at low pH but increased remarkably with increasing pH and precipitated at pH>8. Cs+ adsorption on the clinoptilolite was not affected by the presence of EDTA, while the presence of EDTA hinders the adsorption of Co2+ and Sr2+ on clinoptilolite. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: The adsorption of a zeolite, clay and diatomite from Serbia toward aqueous Cu2+ ions was studied, at different pH. The adsorbents were characterized with respect to phase composition, specific surface area and point of zero charge. The amounts of Cu2+ removed from the solution, increased with increasing initial pH, reaching nearly 100% at pH>7, regardless of the adsorbent type and metal concentration, due to precipitation of Cu(OH)2. Relatively constant final pH values and less significant increase of Cu2+ uptake observed in the initial pH range 4–6 have pointed out the role of buffering properties of investigated adsorbent materials. The maximum adsorption capacities decreased in the order zeolite (0.128 mmol/g)>clay (0.096 mmol/g)>diatomite (0.047 mmol/g). The Langmuir equation was most suitable for data fitting. The proportion of Cu2+ desorbed in acidic media decreased with the increase of previously adsorbed amounts by zeolite and clay, while the opposite was true for diatomite. Ion exchange of exchangeable cations and protons were identified as main adsorption mechanisms, with latter being most apparent in the removal mechanism of diatomite. Considering low-cost, local availability and environmentally friendly materials, zeolite exhibited highest potential for environmental and health protection applications. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]