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Background/Aim: Coma is the most severe disturbance of consciousness from which the patient cannot wake up and in which there is no verbal and motor response or opening of the eyes. The aim of the research was to establish the frequency of occurrence of coma and the aetiology of coma in the Banja Luka Emergency Department (ED). Also, the goal was to analyse the accuracy of the referral diagnosis and potential factors that can help the doctor in making a correct diagnosis. Methods: A retrospective cross-sectional study was conducted. In the ED database, in the period from January to September 2022, all patients diagnosed with coma have been found. The gender and age of the patient, vital parameters, performed diagnostic methods and therapy were recorded. The referral diagnosis, the department to which the patient was referred, as well as the final diagnosis determined in hospital conditions were recorded. Results: In the period from January to September 2022 there were 95 patients who were diagnosed with coma. The average age of the patients was 67.76 ± 16.56 years, there were 56 (58.9 %) men and 39 (41.1 %) women. Of that number, 41 (43.2 %) patients were diagnosed with hypoglycaemic coma and those patients were treated in the field. Out of 54 patients, 32 (59.3 %) patients had a confirmed referral diagnosis, while 22 (40.7 %) patients had another diagnosis established at the hospital. All patients with suspected intracranial bleeding or stroke were correctly diagnosed and adequately referred, while all patients with a confirmed diagnosis of sepsis and shock were incorrectly referred (ch2 = 30.563, p < 0.001). Conclusion: The most frequent were coma caused by hypoglycaemia and coma caused by brain ischaemia and non-traumatic bleeding, which were adequately recognised and treated and/or referred. Coma caused by sepsis and shock of different aetiology was not recognised as such and was referred to a neurologist, where precious time was wasted. In order to reduce errors in the field, it is necessary to pay more attention to the anamnestic data on diseases and perform a somatic and neurological examination adequately.

Population growth, increasing water stress, and water scarcity have influenced the consideration of the reuse of treated wastewater as a possible alternative water source. Currently, recycled water is mainly used in industry, agriculture, and landscape irrigation, and now, in certain parts of the world, recycled water is also used as drinking water due to the limited freshwater resources. To meet the future water supply needs, the direct potable water reuse could be studied as an alternative source of drinking water. Direct potable reuse can enhance sustainability and water supply reliability. This paper analyzes direct potable water reuse as a circular principle in water sector and compares several successful cases of direct potable water reuse in Namibia, South Africa, Texas and New Mexico. Countries that use direct potable reuse are successful examples of using wastewater to form sustainable and reliable water supplies, which is of great significance for the future.

The pandemic of the COVID-19 virus disease has resulted in significant changes in everyday life. As a result, two-thirds of the urban population has been forced to alter previously established travel habits. With this in mind, the international scientific community wonders if the newly formed travel habits could be maintained after the pandemic is over. This paper presents the findings of a survey conducted among students in Kragujevac prior to and during the COVID-19 virus pandemic. Furthermore, the citizens' expectations regarding the change in travel habits following the end of the pandemic are presented. For a period of five years, the survey was conducted once a year on students at the Faculty of Engineering in Kragujevac (Serbia). According to the survey results, during the pandemic, the car was considered a more comfortable mode of transportation than before. When compared to before the pandemic, the share of student families with two cars increased by 15%. The number of cyclists has also increased, making the lack of bike paths during the pandemic a more visible issue than previously. The students polled believe that once the pandemic is over, they will walk more and continue to rely on public transportation as before.

Given the influence of retentio secundinarum (RS) on the reproductive performance of cows, the current work aimed to assess the effect of various approaches to the treatment of retained placenta on the main reproductive parameters, primarily on the interval from parturition to the first service, and the insemination index. The trial involved 120 dairy cows in which the placenta was not expelled within 24 h postpartum. The first group (G1, n=60) contained cows in which the retained placenta was not extirpated, but they were administered antibiotics. The second group (G2, n=60) comprised cows in which the placenta was removed manually, and were also administered antibiotics. At the end of the study, 53 cows remained in G1 and 54 cows in G2. According to medicament therapy, both groups were divided into three sub-groups treated with: procaine benzylpenicillin, chlortetracycline hydrochloride or ceftiofur. Comparison of the performance of G1 and G2 cows showed significantly better fertility parameters occurred in the animals from which the retained placenta was extracted manually. The pregnancy rate in the G2 group was remarkably higher than in the G1 group. The average service interval was significantly lower (p

Highly mucoid Streptococcus uberis were isolated on blood agar from five milk samples originating from two dairy cow farms. All the isolates were CAMP test and esculin hydrolysis negative. Matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS) following prior extraction with 70% formic acid was used for identification to the species level. Given that it is plausible that such strains could be isolated in the future from dairy cows by laboratories in Serbia and the Balkans, we consider this case report to be a useful instruction for veterinary bacteriology laboratories.

The choroid plexus (ChP) is essential for brain homeostasis by regulating the secretion of the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). Despite a substantial body of work on the pathologically alterations of the ChP, there is lack of data concerning the naturally occurring morphological changes asso-ciated with ageing. In this study, we investigated 30 human ChP tissue samples that were divided into 3 groups according to age. Morphometric analysis of psammoma bodies (PBs) on hematoxylin and eosin (H&E)-stained samples and immunohistochemical analysis of ChP were performed (using antibodies to transmembrane phosphoglycoprotein protein CD34 and nuclear protein Ki-67). Amyloid deposits were detected using Congo red staining. Middle-aged and older individuals exhibited a significantly higher numerical density (ndPB) mostly as increased immature forms, which led us to question the proposed nomenclature. The proliferation rate of the ChP epithelium did not show significant difference between groups. The vascular area was markedly decreased and accompanied by amyloid deposition in blood vessel walls. While the deposits were limited to middle-sized blood vessels in the middle-aged group, in the older group deposits were also present around small vessels. The identified major morphological alterations of ageing ChP tissue provide further understanding of disfunctions of the blood-cerebrospinal fluid barrier that underlie neurodegenerative disorders.

Risk-based classification of mining waste landfills is a very important procedure that can suggest what measures should be taken to prevent failures at landfills. In many countries there is a legal obligation to classify landfills, while Serbia has included this practice in its legislation by adopting the Bylaw on the conditions and procedure for issuing waste management permits, as well as criteria, characterization, classification and reporting on mining waste in 2017. As the implementation of the Bylaw began in 2020, there are still frequent doubts during the interpretation of the criteria that can classify the landfill in the proposed category A. Starting from this issue, this paper explains in detail all the provisions of the Bylaw dealing with the terms of classification. It is determined that the landfill is classified based on the possibility of a potential failure and the character and composition of the waste disposed on it, while the process of classification according to the consequences of the failure runs through three iterations, through which endangered humanity, source-path-recipient chain and significance of consequences are analyzed. Although risk assessment is not imposed as an obligation through the Bylaw, procedures that directly or indirectly refer to the results of risk analysis and embankment breach calculation are suggested on several occasions through the classification process. By applying the classification on a specific example of flotation tailings management facility of copper mine, it was found that the realistic risk-based classification of landfills requires a very detailed analysis of all criteria leading to the final category.

This paper presents the first results of the geothermal evolution modeling in East Herzegovina based on vitrinite reflectance calculations and measurements. Modeling of burial and geothermal was performed using "SimpleMat" software with well known kinetic model of vitrinite reflectance - EASY % Ro. By fitting the calculated reflectance values with mean measured vitrinite reflectances, it was concluded that there was erosion of some 900 m in the area, and that first possible petroleum generation could have started some 100 Ma ago. According to final calibration model that includes additional thickness and subsequent erosion of Paleogene sequence, the Upper Triassic sediments should have maturity from 0.70 to 1.1 % Rr, Lower Jurassic from 0.62 to 0.70 % Rr, whereas Upper Cretaceous sediments should have values from 0.40 to 0.60 % Rr, which is in accordance with measured vitrinite reflectance in 23 samples. Assuming that beginning of oil window in the East Herzegovina correspond to the vitrinite reflectance of 0.50 % Rr, all analyzed Mesozoic samples are at the initial stage of catagenesis ("oil window"), while Cenozoic sediments are at the stage of diagenesis.

Apart from the efficiency of coumaphos against Varroa mites, its impact on the oxidative status and survival of the honey bee (Apis mellifera) was assessed. The research was conducted on hives from the same apiary, equalised regarding the number of bees, brood area and food storage. Based on Varroa infestation the hives were allotted to two groups: non-infested (N) and infested (I). Both groups were either treated (T) – NT and IT, or untreated (U) – NU and IU. The treatment of infested bees was controlled with a follow-up treatment with amitraz. The efficiency of coumaphos was 96-97%. This organophosphate had a negligible effect on bee survival, but it significantly affected their oxidative status: superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT) and glutathione S-transferase (GST) activities, and the concentrations of malonyl dialdehyde (MDA). Coumaphos significantly (p˂0.0001) decreased SOD activity in non-infested bees, but increased it in those infested. By contrast, both CAT and GST activities, as well as MDA concentrations significantly increased (from p˂0.05 to p˂0.0001) after treatment in all groups, with the exception of IT, where it declined. Coumaphos in non-infested hives caused oxidative stress per se, not unlike varroa in infested colonies. However, in infested colonies it decreased oxidative stress, owing to its efficacy against Varroa mites and contributed to the recovery of bee colonies. In spite of its certain downsides, coumaphos remains an effective anti-varroa substance, but should be used with precaution, not to add to the effects of environmental factors which may cause red-ox misbalance.

Eight lovebirds of both sexes and different age were admitted showing alterations in behaviour and apathy. During the initial examination delamination of the beak was noted in all birds and discrete areas of alopecia in three of eight birds. Based on clinical experience, molecular diagnostic on PBFD, sequencing of obtained amplicons, and histopathological examination were performed. All birds tested positive on the presence of PBFD virus, despite the fact they did not exhibit expected clinical signs for PBFD. Sequencing results showed 100% match with sequences previously isolated from parrots with PBFD exhibiting classical PBFD manifestation. Histopathological examination showed similar findings as in previously described cases of PBFD in parrots. Other studies on psittacine birds correlate clinical manifestations and nucleotide variations with geographic localization. Our results indicate that the clinical manifestation of the disease is more dependent on bird species than on the genetic variation of the virus or the geographical distribution.

In a time of limited water resources, climate change, and significant reductions in fish and plant species, aquaponics systems can play an important role in the future of ecologically and socio-economically sustainable smart cities. The paper aims to investigate the available literature that deals with the topic and current situation related to aquaponics systems - their application, effects of work, perspectives, and shortcomings, as a model of the circular economy. The exploratory method includes a literature review and the analysis of interviews with the pioneers in aquaponics in the Republic of Serbia. The main criterion for reviewing the literature was to find successful examples of aquaponics in the world and the Republic of Serbia. The result of the research is that aquaponics systems, due to the circular way of production, can be included as the model of the circular economy. Among a growing number of aquaponics pioneers, BIGH Farm, ECF Farmsystems, Urban Farmers, Bioaqua Farm, Tilamur, and Water garden currently have a successful implementation of the circular economy. These firms produce food with no waste production, they minimize energy input, and have a positive environmental impact, which are the main aims of the circular economy.

Colony losses, including those induced by the colony collapse disorder, are an urgent problem of contemporary apiculture which has been capturing the attention of both apiculturists and the research community. CCD is characterized by the absence of adult dead bees in the hive in which few workers and a queen remain, the ratio between the brood quantity and the number of workers is heavily disturbed in favor of the former, and more than enough food is present. Robbing behavior and pests usually attacking the weakened colony do not occur. In the present paper, the causes of the emergence of this problem are discussed, as well as the measures of its prevention.

Commercial feed intended for dogs and cats is an almost unrecognised source of human infection with various serovars of Salmonella enterica. However, people may catch the infection both via direct contact with contaminated pet feed and by contact with pets, which usually shed Salmonella without signs of infection. A relatively new trend of feeding dogs and cats with raw feed is considered to be a special risk owing to the fact that it usually contains foodborne pathogens, such as Salmonella spp., Escherichia coli and Campylobacter spp. Nonetheless, the epidemiological data do not support this idea. In the current review relevant data on the significance of pet feed in the outbreak of human salmonellosis are discussed and the recommendations for the prevention of the infection originating from these sources are suggested.

The results of the research into the microbiological contamination of litter used by broiler chickens are presented. Litter samples were taken prior to the introduction of chicks (day 0) and in 7-day intervals until the end of the fattening period. The total numbers of aerobic mesophilic microorganisms, yeasts, moulds and Clostridium perfringens spores, and the presence of bacteria of the Salmonella genus were determined. The total microbial count in newly laid litter was 7 log10 CFU/g, which increased to 9 log10 CFU/g by the 4th week. However, at the end of the 5th week, it was at the same level as in newly laid litter. C. perfringens spores, presumably originating from chicks' faeces, were first detected on day 7. In the next 7 days their number increased, reaching 3-4 log10 CFU/g, and remained at approximately same levels until the end of the research. The initial mould contamination was 5-6 log10 CFU/g. However, from day 21 moulds were not isolated, but only yeasts of the Saccharomyces genus. It is supposed that these were deposited with chicks' faeces, due to their presence in complete broiler feed. No bacteria of the Salmonella genus were ever isolated from the litter. In conclusion, the total numbers of microorganisms in deep litter reach their peak in approximately a month, which is followed by their decrease. Deep litter is a favourable environment for probiotic yeast cultures. Added to feed intended for broilers, they can positively influence the microbial composition of litter, providing healthier environment to fattening broilers.

Introduction: Urticaria is a disease of polyetiological origin characterized by skin manifestations (wheals, angioedema or both) and it is frequently seen in childhood. Based on its duration, urticaria can be classified into acute and chronic; and based on causative agents urticaria is divided to spontaneous and inducible. The etiological trigger factors of acute urticaria include infections, medications and food. Aim: Evaluation of etiological factors and clinical parameters of acute urticaria in childhood. Material and methods: We performed a retrospective analysis of medical documentation which included 65 patients with acute urticaria who were treated at the Pediatric Internal Diseases Clinic, Clinical Center Niš, during the period from January 2015 to December 2016. Results: In all subjects, regardless of age, infection was the most frequent factor (42.7%) that preceded the urticaria, while in 13.4% of children infection was associated with the use of medications. In children under 3 years of age, food was the most frequent trigger factor (23.5%), while in older children (above the age of 3) more frequent trigger factor which preceded the acute urticaria was the use of medication during the infection. Among the investigated patients, 63.1% of them had clinical manifestation of urticaria, 20% had angioedema, while 16.9% of patients had urticaria and angioedema at the same time. The evaluation of the laboratory parameters showed high incidence of neutrophilia (40.6%) and increased CRP values (32.5%). Conclusion: the most common trigger factors which caused acute urticaria in childhood were the upper respiratory tract infections. A high incidence of medications was detected in the group of children older than three years, while in children younger than 3 years, food was detected as the most frequent potential cause. Neutrophilia and increased CRP values were laboratory parameters associated with infections.

Objectives: Condition known as chronic cerebrospinal venous insufficiency (CCSVI) is characterized by insufficient cerebral vein drainage in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) and internal jugular vein (IJV), vertebral and/or azygos veins stenoses. However, external compression on the IJV was not clearly described as a potential cause of CCSVI. We aim to present a case of CCSVI in a patient with MS caused by bilateral IJV inverted valves combined with IJV external compression by carotid bulb. Methods: A 31-year-old female patient was admitted to our institute for IJV and vertebral veins morphological and haemodynamical assessment after being treated for MS for the last 14 years. Colour Doppler ultrasonography showed right IJV prestenotic dilation and inverted valves in both IJV. Computerized tomography angiography showed bilateral IJV compression by carotid bulb. Haemodynamical Doppler parameters showed that external IJV compression significantly contributed to CCSVI occurrence. Results: Bilateral IJV confluence percutaneous angioplasty (PTA) was done, and the patient was discharged for further neurological examination. Partial carbon dioxide pressure was significantly lower in the distal part of both IJV following PTA andoxygen saturation increased. Conclusion: In the case presented, PTA of the IJV confluence resulted in haemodynamic improvement despite the presence of IJV external compression. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Clostridium perfringens is a Gram-positive, endospore-forming, anaerobic rod, ubiquitous in nature. C. perfringens strains can produce about 17 toxins. Many of them can lead to miscellaneous diseases, among which the enteric ailment may be the most common and is of utmost importance. In the present work 34 strains of C. perfringens isolated from feed and one from a cow suspected to have died of clostridial infection were subjected to molecular analysis. In order to detect the genotypes, the following genes coding for toxins were targetted: cpa, cpb, cpb2, cpe, etx and iap. The multiplex PCR assay revealed that all C. perfringens isolates from animal feed were of type A and b2-toxinogenic type A strains, possessing only the cpa (n=21), or both the cpa and the cpb2 genes (n=13). The importance of C. perfringens toxins α and β-2 in the pathogenesis of enterotoxemia is discussed and the regulation on the detection of this bacteria in animal feed questioned. The use of PCR in practise could enable the toxin-genotyping of C. perfringens isolates and, thus, provide a real basis for the establishment of maximum acceptable limits of this bacteria in feed.

Pasteurella (P.) multocida is a heterogeneous species of Gram-negative bacteria which are common commensals of the upper respiratory system of various mammal and bird species, but are also opportunistic contagious zoonotic pathogens which cause a wide spectre of infections in domestic animals and humans. P. multocida is a rare cause of mastitis in dairy cows. The source of infection mainly remains unknown, mastitis usually is acute, and the therapy by intramammary administration of antibiotics does not lead to satisfactory results. Lethality is possible due to presence of endotoxins in blood. Literature data on P. multocida mastitis in dairy cows is particularly scarce, which is why such a case is described in the current work, with past medical history, clinical findings, laboratory diagnostics and therapeutic approach. [Project of the Serbian Ministry of Education, Science and Technological Development, Grant no. TR 31071 and Grant no. III 46002]

The influence of pyrolysis type on the shale oil generation and its composition was studied. Different methods such as Rock-Eval pyrolysis, thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and pyrolysis in the open and closed systems were applied. Samples from the Upper layer of Aleksinac oil shale (Serbia) were used as a substrate and first time characterized in detail. The impact of kerogen content and type on the shale oil generation in different pyrolysis systems was also estimated. Majority of the analysed samples have total organic carbon content > 5 wt. % and contain oil prone kerogen types I and/or II. Therefore, they can be of particular interest for the pyrolytic processing. The thermal behaviour of analysed samples obtained by TGA is in agreement with Rock-Eval parameters. The pyrolysis of oil shale in the open system gives higher yield of shale oil than the pyrolysis in the closed system. The yield of hydrocarbons (HCs) in shale oil produced by the open pyrolysis system corresponds to an excellent source rock potential, while HCs yield from the closed system indicates a very good source rock potential. The kerogen content has a greater impact on the shale oil generation than kerogen type in the open pyrolysis system, while kerogen type plays a more important role on the generation of shale oil than the kerogen content in the closed system. The composition of the obtained shale oil showed certain undesirable features, due to the relatively high contents of olefinic HCs (open system) and polar compounds (closed system), which may require further treatment to be used. [Project of the Serbian Ministry of Education, Science and Technological Development, Grant no. 176006]

Cavernomas are benign vascular malformations, and about 50% of all cases are multiple. The hereditary form of brain cavernomas is uncommon, and it is certainly under diagnosed. Another entity is familial cerebral cavernous malformation syndrome. It is defined as the occurrence of multiple cavernomas or the occurrence of cavernomas in at least two members of a family or the presence of a mutation in one of the three genes causing familial cerebral cavernous malformation syndrome. We present a Serbian family in which three consecutive members of family had brain cavernoma. According to our knowledge, this is second case of hereditary cavernoma described in Serbian population.

For decades intensive husbandry has more or less been based on the use of antibiotics in sub-minimum inhibitory concentrations (sub-MIC) aimed at growth promotion. Continuous exposure of animal intestinal microbiota, including opportunistic zoonotic pathogens, to sub-MIC poses a pressure to selection and spread of bacteria strains with developed mechanism of antibiotic resistance. These bacteria may be transferred to people either by direct contact with farm animals or indirectly, via the food chain. Although in the EU a ban on the use of antibiotics as growth promoters was imposed in 2006, in many countries, including the largest producers and consumers of antibiotics in the world, it has yet to be done. Given that we are faced with a global problem of the loss of the efficacy of several antibiotic classes which are available for the treatment of human bacterial infections, it is unacceptable that antibiotic use in husbandry is not under global control. Reduction in antibiotic use in clinical practice in human medicine remains in dispute, but non-therapeutic use in husbandry remains a field in which much can be done to contribute substantially to the extension of antibiotic effectiveness and health care of future generations.