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Background In Europe, Serbia occupies a high position in antibiotic utilization and antimicrobial resistance (AMR). Aim The aim was to analyse utilization trends of meropenem, ceftazidime, aminoglycosides, piperacillin/tazobactam and fluoroquinolones (2006–2020), and the reported AMR in Pseudomonas aeruginosa (2013–2020) in Serbia and to compare with data from eight European countries (2015–2020). Method Joinpoint regression was used to analyse antibiotic utilization data (2006–2020) and the reported AMR in Pseu- domonas aeruginosa (2013–2020). Data sources were relevant national and international institutions. Antibiotic utilization and AMR in Pseudomonas aeruginosa data in Serbia were compared with eight European countries. Results There was a significantly increased trend for ceftazidime utilization and reported resistance in Pseudomonas aer- uginosa, Serbia (p < 0.05) (2018–2020). For ceftazidime, piperacillin/tazobactam, and fluoroquinolones resistances in Pseu- domonas aeruginosa an increased trend was observed, Serbia (2013–2020). A decrease in both the utilization of aminogly- cosides, Serbia (p < 0.05) (2006–2018) and contemporaneous Pseudomonas aeruginosa resistance (p > 0.05) was detected. Fluoroquinolone utilization (2015–2020) was highest in Serbia compared to Netherlands and Finland, 310 and 305% higher, similar compared to Romania, and 2% less compared to Montenegro. Aminoglycosides (2015–2020) were 2550 and 783% more used in Serbia compared to Finland and Netherlands, and 38% less regarding Montenegro. The highest percentage of Pseudomonas aeruginosa resistance was in Romania and Serbia (2015–2020). Conclusion The use of piperacillin/tazobactam, ceftazidime and fluoroquinolones should be carefully monitored in clinical practice due to increased Pseudomonas aeruginosa resistance. The level of utilization and AMR in Pseudomonas aeruginosa is still high in Serbia compared to other European countries.

Plant-based food represents an excellent source of different nutrients and bioactive compounds, such as phenolics, carotenoids, vitamins, etc., with proven health benefits for humans. The content of selected phytochemicals, polyphenolic profile, and biological activity (antioxidant potential and α-glucosidase inhibitory activity) of fruit extracts of medlar (Mespilus germanicaL.), blackthorn (Prunus spinosaL.), and common hawthorn (Crataegus monogynaJacq.), the neglected Rosaceae species originated from Serbia were studied. Targeted UHPLC/(−)HESI–MS/MS quantitative analysis of phenolic compounds revealed pinocembrin only in medlar fruit extract, and it is the first report of this flavanone in medlar fruits. Total phenolic content did not differ between extracts, whereas significant differences were observed for the contents of total flavonoids, total phenolic acids, and total gallotannins. Monomeric anthocyanins and total anthocyanins were significantly higher in blackthorn compared to medlar and hawthorn fruit extracts (p< 0.05). DPPH·and ABTS·+scavenging activities for examined fruits were modest compared to other natural antioxidants and BHT. The most potent inhibitory activity toward α-glucosidase expressed medlar and blackthorn extracts with IC50values of 129.46 and 199.84 μg/mL, respectively, which was higher compared to the standard drug acarbose.

Mahovine predstavljaju organizme sa višedecenijskom primenom u monitoringu zagađenja vazdušne i vodene sredine met alima. Uprkos ovome, jako mali broj istraživanja bavio se sposobnošću mahovina da usvajaju metale iz podloge na kojoj rastu i efektima povišenih koncentracija metala u podlozi na rastenje i razviće ovih biljaka. U ovom istraživanju, kod d ve vrste mahovina različitih formi rasta, akrokarpne vrste Atrichum undulatum i pleurokarpne vrste Hypnum cupressiforme , testirana je sposobnost usvajanja i translokacije cinka, bakra ili kadmijuma u gametoforima gajenim na podlogama sa dodatkom različitih koncentracija (0 , 200, 700 µM) acetatnih soli ovih metala. Osim toga, ispitan je i efekat različite dužine stresa (kratkotrajni i dugotrajni) metalima na morfogenetske, fiziološke i biohemijske parametre dve vrste mahovina. Istraživanje je vršeno u akseničnim in vitro lab oratorijskim uslovima Obe vrste mahovina imaju sposobnost usvajanja metala iz podloge i translokacije duž longitudinalne ose izdanka, ali efikasnost ovih procesa zavisi od vrste metala i vrste mahovine. Obrasci akumulacije metala razlikuju se u apikalnim i bazalnim delovima gametofora, specifični su za vrstu mahovine i vrstu metala ali zavise i od primenjenih koncentracija metala u hranljivim podlogama. Kombinovano dejstvo faktora značajno je uticalo na vrednosti različit ih paramet a r a odgovora mahovina na stres izazvan metalima. Rezultati ovog istraživanja ukazuju da dve ispitivane vrste mahovina imaju drugačije strategije alokacije resursa prilikom odgovora na povećane koncentracije metala u podlozi H. cupressiforme dominanto ulaže u produkciju novih izdanaka, dok A. undulatum energiju primarno koristi za sintezu i aktivnost komponenti antioksidativne zaštite. Mosses are long established biomonitors of air and water trace metal pollution. There is a lack of knowledge about the relations of these plants with the metals from the substratum. Here, two growth form mosses, acrocarpous Atrichum undulatum and pleurocarpous Hypnum cupressiforme w ere tested regarding their competence to accumulate and translocate metals from the substratum to the upper parts of the gametophores. Plants were grown on solid media supplie d with different concentrations ( 200, 700 µM) of zinc copper or cadmium acetate and the effects of these factors and different exposure times on morphogenetic, physiological and biochemical parameters were also investigated. The study was conducted i n the controlled axenic laboratory conditions. Both moss species absorb metals and translocate them along the longitudinal stem axis, but the efficiencies of these processes are dependent on the moss and the metal species. The pattern of individual metal distribution is different in apical and basal parts of the gametophores and specific to moss species, metal, and is also affected by the applied concentration of the acetate salts. Significant interaction effects of factors on investigated parameters of m oss response to metal stress are detected. The results indicate that the two moss species use different strategies regarding energy allocation in response to elevated metal concentrations in the substrate. H. cupressiforme predominantly invests energy in the production of new shoots, while in A. undulatum, the energy is directed mainly into the synthesis and activation of various components of antioxidative protection.

In this doctoral dissertation, the influence of the most common types of microplastic polymers on different levels of biological and ecological organization of benthic macroinvertebrates in freshwater ecosystems is analyzed. Multiparametric bioassays were conducted, based on OECD protocols Nos. 218 and 219, on the model species Chironomus riparius (Meigen, 1804). The influence of the mixture of microplastic particles (PET, PS, PVC, PA, PE, PP) on a series of standard biomarkers (morality, survival, time and rate of development and emergence) was analyzed. Using the method of geometric morphometry, the influence on the morphological structures of larvae (mentums and mandibles), as well as adults (wings) was analyzed. OECD tests have been applied in ex-situ environmental conditions, but also on populations of the same species in in-situ mesocosms in the lake ecosystem. The negative influence of microplastic polymers on the time of larval development and on the delay of adult hatching has been proven. Exposure of individuals to microplastic particles resulted in changes in the morphological structures of larvae and adults. An analysis of the degree of influence of the mixture of microplastic polymers (PE, PA and PVC) on the structure of the macroinvertebrate community of the pristine pond ecosystem was performed, where 16 % of the difference in diversity between control and treatment was observed. For the first time, an analysis of the presence of microplastic particles in the Danube basin was performed, using selected species from the macroinvertebrate community. The analysis of the chemical composition of isolated microplastic particles from the tissue model of the species Corbicula fluminea (Müller, 1774) is the first analysis in the Danube basin at 2040 riverine kilometers. Micro-FTIR spectroscopic analysis confirmed the presence of microplastic particles in the tissue of Asian clams, with a dominant presence of polyethylene terephthalate.

This research monograph consists of 17 papers under the framework of contemporary economic and business issues which we can structure into several main research fields. These fields relate to the regulation of economic and business activities, especially in the context of digitalization processes, fiscal and monetary issues, dealing with the impact of digitalization and COVID19 pandemics on traditional academic and business debates, as well as on innovation processes in both government and the corporate sector. We can borrow the phrase from one of our papers and confirm that the papers presented show that the innovative market and digital society, as the new global development and technology paradigm of the modern world, together with its capabilities and standards, has changed the character of entrepreneurship and the state/government in terms of their new interactions. Thus, the contributions from the research monograph are made more urgent by the main objective of introspection of the traditional economic and business sectors and activities under the prism of digital transformation. The researchers were particularly interested in the impact of the COVID19 pandemic on the economic and business sectors. Although the conference was held in the midst of the pandemics, researchers were able to present valuable studies showing the extent of the threat posed by COVID 19 to the public health and economic outcomes of EU citizens. Significant pressure was placed on member state spending, particularly in countries with lower fiscal capacity, resulting in a severe temporary deterioration in the fiscal deficit and public debt. It is also noted that the crisis COVID -19 will have an uneven impact on member states and could deepen their divergence. Therefore, new and creative fiscal policies to support investment in digital transformation, green transition and innovation are of utmost importance. This monograph provides some guidance.