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Deep eutectic solvents (DESs) are called 'designer solvents' due to various structural variations and the benefit of tailoring their physicochemical properties. For industrial applications of DESs it is crucial to know their physical and thermodynamic properties such as density, viscosity, and refractive index. These properties were measured for three lecithin (LEC)-based DESs with glycerol (G), triethanolamine (TEOA), and oleic acid (OLA) as functions of temperature. The viscosity was fitted by both Arrhenius-type and Vogel-Tamman-Fulcher equations. The density, viscosity, and refractive index of tested DESs decreased with the increase in temperature. The LEC:G DES exhibited the lowest density at all tested tempe-ratures. This DES was selected as a cosolvent in the ethanolysis of cold-pressed black mustard (Brassica nigra L.) seed oil catalyzed by either calcined or non-calcined CaO. The reaction was carried out in a batch stirred reactor under the following conditions: the temperature of 70 °C, the ethanol-to-oil molar ratio of 12:1, and the amount of DES and CaO of 20 and 10 wt.% (to oil), respectively. The presence of DES accelerated the reaction, while the separation of the final reaction mixture phases was faster.

Background/Aim. There is a constant increase in the need to use third-party reproductive cells among couples who are unable to conceive with their own reproductive cells or in order to prevent the passing of an existing hereditary genetic disorder to the child. The aim of the study was to present a theoretical overview and perform a practical analysis of the use of social marketing strategies using the first technique of analyzing the attitudes of potential donors of reproductive cells in the Republic of Serbia (RS) in the interest of adapting to the target group. Methods. Empirical research in this study, in which both women and men from the RS participated, was based on a questionnaire about people’s willingness to be potential reproductive cell donors and about having information on the donation of reproductive cells. The data in this paper were obtained during 2021, and the questionnaire was focused on a particular population group. The questionnaire was sent to people aged 20 to 34 years who could become potential donors of reproductive cells. In the research, 201 women and men from the RS participated. The first part of the questionnaire was tested for internal consistency, which was tested by Cronbach’s alpha coefficient calculation (α). Values of α lower than 0.5 indicate that the questionnaire possesses unacceptable conistency. Results. A total of 57% of participants were in-formed about reproductive cell donation through the Internet, 29% by friends and family, and 11% of them were informed by doctors. Only 32% of participants were fully informed, and 25.1% were partially informed about the donation of reproductive material in the RS. Forty-three percent of participants were not informed about the donation of re-productive material. Most of the participants (54%) said they would maybe donate their reproductive material if they had more information, 20% would donate in any case, and 26% would refuse to donate reproductive material. Conclusion. The target group of potential donors of reproductive cells is present in the RS. In addition to the analysis of attitudes, further planning and implementation measures for the promotion of donation could have an influence on raising awareness about the lack of reproductive material and increase the recruitment of gamete donors.

A worrying trend of autocratization that has been spreading globally in recent years, has thrust forward a new wave of appeals for deliberative and participatory democracy as a remedy for the crisis. With a few exceptions, the majority of participatory and deliberative institutions were implemented in stable democracies. The efforts to institutionalize participatory and deliberative models are almost completely absent in Serbia and other Western Balkan countries. Yet, there has been a trend of citizen mobilization in the form of social movements and local civic initiatives, which are both a symptom of unresponsive and quite openly authoritarian institutions, as well as a potential pathway to democratization. The pace and scope of these developments in the undemocratic societies of the Western Balkan region, in terms of both bottom up and top-down democratic experimentation, call for a better understanding of their internal dynamics, and their social and political impact. Responding to this need, the articles in the special issue focus on social movement mobilizations and deliberative experimentation. To begin with, our introductory article focuses particularly on understanding the possible role deliberative institutions could have in hybrid regimes. It looks at the first two cases of deliberative mini publics (DMPs) ever organized in Serbia, analyzing their rationale, specific design, implementation, as well as considering the possible role deliberative institutions could play in the hybrid regime of Serbia.

Organizational citizenship behaviour is a form of employees' behaviour where employees go beyond their formal duties required by job description. Despite the fact that this form of behaviour is not recognized or accepted by the reward system, employees are ready to put in an extra effort in order to achieve organizational goals. However, the readiness of employees to manifest this form of behaviour is not completely unconditional. Numerous empirical studies suggest that such behaviour can be encouraged by employees' job satisfaction, fulfilment of their psychological contract, perception of a high level of organizational justice in the company, support provided to them, etc. Having in mind the importance of this form of employees' behaviour, precisely from the point of view of employers, as well as the factors that influence it, this paper examines the impact of employees' job satisfaction on the level of their organizational citizenship behaviour on the example of the companies in Serbia. The paper starts with three hypotheses. The first and second hypotheses are that employees in companies in Serbia are satisfied with their jobs and that they demonstrate organizational citizenship behaviour. These assumptions were tested using the t-test. The third hypothesis is that employees' satisfaction with their job has a positive effect on their organizational citizenship behaviour. In order to test this hypothesis, methods of correlation and multiple regression analysis were used. The analysis is based on data obtained by primary research realized during 2019. In the research, 244 employees participated. The research showed that there is a positive relationship between respondents' job satisfaction and organizational citizenship behaviour, as well as the positive impact of job satisfaction on organizational citizenship behaviour of employees. This paper's contribution is twofold. First, it provides empirical data regarding the job satisfaction and organizational citizenship behaviour of employees in companies in Serbia. Second, it adds to the existing literature from this field by proposing strategies for increasing the employees' job satisfaction, which will lead to increasing the employees' willingness to manifest organizational citizenship behaviour.

Different deep eutectic solvents (DESs) of triethanolamine (TEOA) and oxalic acid (OA), glacial acetic acid (AA), L-(+)-lactic acid (LA), oleic acid (OLA), glycerol (G), ethylene glycol (EG), propylene glycol (PEG), choline chloride (ChCl) or 1,3-dimethylurea (DMU) were prepared and characterized regarding their physicochemical (density, viscosity, electrical conductivity, refractive index, coefficient of volume expansion, molecular volume, lattice energy and heat capacity) properties over the temperature range of 293.15–363.15 K at 101.325 kPa. For all tested DESs, the density, viscosity and refractive index decreased with rising temperature, while the electrical conductivity increased. The temperature dependence of viscosity and electrical conductivity are described by the Vogel–Tamman–Fulcher equations. The viscosity and molar conductivity, which exhibited a linear behaviour, were correlated by the fractional Walden rule. Besides, the Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) was used to study the functional groups of these DESs while thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) provided the information about their stability. The tested DESs of TEOA possess desirable properties for use in various industrial processes, such as extractions, separations, chemical technology and biotechnology.

This paper examines the impact of employees' commitment on the productivity of organizations in the Republic of Serbia. Employees' commitment represents the willingness of employees to make efforts for the benefit of the organization and the desire to remain in them. It can be seen as: affective, continuous and normative commitment. Affective commitment reflects a belief in the goals of an organization and a willingness to actively participate in its development; normative commitment reflects a sense of obligation on employees to remain in the organization while continuing commitment is due to employees' assessment that leaving the organization causes greater costs than benefits. Previous research shows that all types of commitment have a major impact on the performance of organizations. As the number of empirical studies on this topic in Serbia is limited, this paper examines the impact of each type of organizational commitment on the productivity of organizations in Serbia, as well as the impact of the overall commitment. The aim of the paper was to identify the types of organizational commitment that have the greatest impact on the performance of organizations in Serbia and to propose measures to HR managers whose implementation can improve the operations of domestic organizations. The starting point of the paper was that employees' commitment has a statistically significant effect on organizational performance. To verify the validity of this assumption, a primary survey was conducted. 169 employees of 17 organizations in Serbia were surveyed. By applying correlation and regression analysis methods, it has been proven that overall organizational commitment, as well as its certain types, have a positive impact on the productivity of organizations in Serbia, with the impact of normative commitment on performance greater than other types of commitment. At the same time, the contribution of continuous commitment to the performance of organizations in Serbia is negligible (statistically insignificant). In line with the obtained results, recommendations for human resources managers in Serbia are proposed. The theoretical implications of the paper are reflected in filling the gap in the national literature in the field of organizational commitment, while the empirical implications are reflected in the mechanisms and measures that are proposed at the end of the paper.

Professional and committed employees have always been a desirable resource in the portfolio of human resources of each company because their expertise and engagement can significantly affect the overall performance of businesses. The readiness to put the potential that have in the function of the company is, however, under the influence of a variety of factors, starting from the design of the job, through the reward system, to the possibility of promotion. As one of the most important factors, which is not sufficiently addressed in domestic literature, is the perception of organizational fairness, as well. This category refers on the degree to which employees believe that the decisions made in the company are fair, the procedures that are applied are fair, and the treatment of the employees to whom the decisions are made for are fair. Numerous empirical researches have shown that when a higher level of organizational justice is perceived in the company, it has a positive impact on the manifestation of organizational citizenship behaviour, job satisfaction, commitment, etc. Since all these forms of employees' behaviour and attitudes are positively correlated with individual, and thus overall, organizational, performances, organizational justice could be seen as one of the factors that can influence the performance that the company as a whole. Bearing in mind the above, the subject of the paper is to examine whether organizational justice has a statistically significant impact on the performance of companies in Serbia, and to what extent some forms of organizational justice (distribution, procedural and interactive) affect them. The aim of the paper is to propose mechanisms and measures based on the results of the research to managers, whose implementation can contribute to the increase of organizational justice in those segments that are poorly assessed. The starting assumption of the paper is that organizational justice has a statistically significant impact on company performance. In order to verify the validity of this assumption, the methods of correlation and regression analysis will be used. The analysis will be based on the data obtained from the primary research carried out in the companies mostly in the South East of Serbia. The theoretical implications of the paper are reflected in filling in the gaps in domestic literature regarding organizational justice and its possible implications, while empirical implications are reflected in the ability to increase the level of justices in the companies in Serbia by applying the proposed mechanisms and measures and thus positively influence attitudes, behaviour and performances of employees.

Customer satisfaction with the service that has been provided to them is a basic prerequisite for their loyalty, i.e. their retention by the organization that provided them a service. However, for the overall customers' perception of the service quality and their satisfaction with it, the great importance has the content of the service that has been provided, but also the way in which it has been provided. The latter put emphasis on the employees who are in direct contact with the clients and of whose kindness, provenance and empathy will depend the level of customers' satisfaction. The aim of this paper is to examine the influence of so-called organizational citizenship behavior of the employees on the clients' satisfaction with the service. It is about the form of behavior where employees at their working places put much more efforts than it is expected from them, for which they usually are not particularly rewarded. The methodology of the paper includes an analysis of the available literature in the area of customers' satisfaction, as well as the organizational citizenship behavior (OCB) of the employees, as well as the case study. Within the case study, the attitudes of the employees in several branches of one bank in the Republic of Serbia regarding the manifestation of different dimensions of OGP are examined, as well as the impact of this form of employees' behavior on customers' satisfaction with the service. The results of the study showed that between these two variables positive relationship can be established.

The digital age causes significant changes in the business environment. As one of the most important components of the modern business environment, technological environment and information technology (IT) influenced the development of many areas of business. The most notable changes are happening in the production of hardware and software, and industrial production, but also in the management where decision support systems have long been in use. Within the management, IT receives a special role in human resources management. Electronic Human Resource Management (e-HRM) is a concept which involves the use of Web-based technologies for providing the services regarding the human resource management in the organization, and to which access have a wider range of organization's stakeholders - starting from the HRM department, via managers to employees. The aim of this paper is to highlight the importance of the concept of e-HRM, its most important features, advantages, potential drawbacks, as well as to show the level of usage of e-HRM in Serbia. The methodology of the paper includes theoretical analysis of the available literature and data on e-HRM and empirical analysis of data on the use of e-HRM in organizations in Serbia. The analysis was conducted on the database of Cranet research in 2015/2016 by using the SPSS software. The authors point out that e-HRM is a kind of innovation that promotes, develops and facilitates the practice of HRM, both for the department of human resources and for managers and employees.

This paper will analyze the mediating influence of educational level on job related characteristics-job satisfaction relationship. The main research questions are whether the level of education influences job satisfaction. In order to answer this question, MANOVA was applied using the data obtained by the primary research on a sample of 813 employees in the companies in Serbia. Results of the study showed that job satisfaction is rising with increasing the level of education, except in case of highest level of education. Also, all job related characteristics (except contingent rewards) have significantly different influence on job satisfaction of employees with different levels of education. The results also showed that pay has greater influence on job satisfaction of the lowest educated employees than it has on job satisfaction of others. For employees with secondary education, communication and relationship with co-workers has such influence. For job satisfaction of employees with higher level of education, relationships with superiors and operating procedures have greater influence, while for the highest educated employees those are fringe benefits and nature of work.

In this paper I want to compare rare theoretical justifications of border walls with discourses on boundaries and walls by Central and Eastern European political actors in dealing with refugee crisis in 2015. I analize three such discourses: consequentialist, discourse of reponsibility for fair distribution of cosmopolitan duties, and nationalistic discourse. This comparison allows me to question aplicability of Wendy Brown’s argument that the states with waning sovereignty display symbols of force in building border walls aimed at defending fragile egos built around national and religious identities. Finally, I want to elucidate what type of political subjectivity is produced and legitimated by these acts of fortification within and around CEE “walled” states.

This paper reports the physicochemical (density, dynamic viscosity, electrical conductivity and refractive index) and the thermodynamic (thermal expansion coefficient, molecular volume, lattice energy and heat capacity) properties of several choline chloride (ChCl) based deep eutectic solvents (DESs), with 1:2 mole ratio, respectively: ChCl:propylene glycol, ChCl:1,3-dimethylurea and ChCl:thiourea, at atmospheric pressure as a function of temperature over the range of 293.15–363.15 K. Their properties were also compared with those of some already characterized ChCl-based DESs, namely ChCl:ethylene glycol, ChCl:glycerol and ChCl:urea (1:2 mole ratio). Density, viscosity and refractive index of all DESs decrease with the increasing temperature while the electrical conductivity increases. Viscosity and conductivity of the tested DESs were fitted by both Arrhenius-type and Vogel–Tamman–Fulcher equations. The changes of molar enthalpy, entropy and Gibbs energy of activation, determined using the Eyring theory, demonstrated the interactional factor as predominant over the structural factor for all DES systems. The fractional Walden rule, used to correlate molar conductivity and viscosity, showed an excellent linear behaviour. It was shown that ChCl:propylene glycol DES had properties similar to ChCl:ethylene glycol and ChCl:glycerol DESs. However, the properties (density, viscosity and electrical conductivity) of ChCl:1,3-dimethylurea and ChCl: :thiourea DESs were inferior to those of the ChCl:urea DES. [Project of the Serbian Ministry of Education, Science and Technological Development, Grant no. III 45001]

In this article I argue that there are grounds for considering agonistic democracy and participatory democracy complementarity in order to institutionalize agonism which has thus far lacked an elaborate articulation of its institutional dimension. The two democratic theories share a commitment toward widening the scope of the political as a way of inclusion of citizens and their subsequent political subjectivation and empowerment. Furthermore, there are authors on both sides who think democracy does not need foundations. Agonistic participation and contestation, on the one hand, and the broadening and strengthening of various sectors of political participation, on the other, both open up new possibilities for critique and change, but also create new risks. Building on a redefinition of agonisitic participation, I aim to attenuate an objection that agonism is normatively weak in terms of lacking resources to motivate citizens and justify their critique of practices of domination and oppression. The article concludes that we need to embrace agonistic participation as a means towards the development of democratic political judgement, as there are no other guarantees, i.e. secure foundations, for our ability to distinguish between democratic and non-democratic agon. [Projekat Ministarstva nauke Republike Srbije, br. 47026: Konstitucionalizam i vladavina prava u izgradnji nacionalne države - slučaj Srbije]

INTODUCTION: Laryngeal mask (LMA) means for supraglottic (above the laryngeal cover) airway. Timely used in operating rooms, IMA is now more and more recommended in the equipment of emergency services as an important adjunct to airway in difficult situations. Basically, each consisting of tube and inflating mask that is placed deflated and then inflated and its lumen fully covers the laryngeal lid and larynx. Causes of difficult intubation can be congenital an acquired, very position of the patient, inexperienced artists, incomplete equipment. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Review of available references and published studies ; descriptive overview of the case - analysis of the medical report of receipt of the Emergency Services General Hospitals Sabac OBJECTIVE: is to point out that the laryngeal mask one of the best ways airway in cases of difficult intubation CASE REPORT: Difficult intubation due to the inexperience of the young doctor. The Emergency admission General Hospital Sabac began CPR for cardiac arrest patients. A man aged 65 osteomuscular medium build, is unconscious, cyanotic, respiration rare about 6 / min. TA immeasurable, Sa02 30%, glucose 7.4. Started chest compressions, the patient received Adrenalin amp. necessary intubation (duty anesthetist in the operating room for surgical intervention). In view of the constitution of the patient selected vel.5 LMA. (Figure 1). In the mouth, there was no foreign content heteroanamnestic is obtained by the fact that no congenital narrowing of the upper airway. LMA placed without difficulty, and then started manually venting, which is achieved visibly raising the chest, adequate gas exchange Sa02 80%. EKG achieved sinus rhythm with signs of inferior myocardial infarction. The patient was intubated so transferred to the Coronary Care Unit Department of Internal Medicine. CONCLUSION: LMA should become an integral part of any reanimation equipment and emergency services staff should be trained to use it.

The aim of this paper was to present the role of human papillomavirus (HPV) in cervical carcinogenesis from several aspects. By explaining the HPV virus lifecycle and structure, its effect on cervical cell cycle and subversion of immune response can be better understood. Early E region of the viral genome encodes proteins that are directly involved in carcinogenesis. The E6 protein binds to p53 protein (product of tumor-suppressor gene) blocking and degrading it, which in turn prevents cell cycle arrest and apoptosis induction. E6 is also capable of telomerase activation, which leads to cell immortalization; it also reacts with host proto-oncogene c-jun, responsible for transcription, shortens G1 phase and speeds up the transition from G1 to S phase of the cells infected by HPV. E7 forms bonds with retinoblastoma protein (product of tumor-suppressor gene) and inactivates it. It can inactivate cyclin inhibitors p21, p27, and abrogate the mitotic spindle checkpoint with the loss of protective effect of pRB and p53. The immune system cannot initiate early immunological reaction since the virus is non-lytic, while the concentration of viral proteins - antigens is low and has a basal intracellular position. Presentation through Langerhans cells (LC) is weak, because the number of these cells is low due to the effect of HPV. E7 HPV reduces the expression of E-cadherin, which is responsible for LC adhesion to HPVtransformed keratinocytes. Based on these considerations, it may be concluded that the process of cervical carcinogenesis includes viral, genetic, cellular, molecular-biological, endocrine, exocrine and immunological factors.

Background/Aim. Female patients who underwent ceratin treatment forms of cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) are at five times greater risk for disease relapse in comparison to the rest of female population. The aim of the study was to investigate validity of human papillomavirus (HPV) typization and cytology in detection of relapse. Methods. The prospective clinical investigation included 35 patients with relapse and 30 ones without it after adequate treatment of cervical intraepithelial neoplasia. HPV typization using PCR methods and cytological test (conventional Pap smear) were performed in all the patients. Validation of tests applied was performed by determining their sensitivity, specificity, and positive and negative predictive value. Results. More severe degrees of CIN relapse occur significantly more often in patients which remain HPV positive despite of the treatment. The patients which remain positive on HPV type 18 or, on both HPV types 18 and 16, have more often CIN relapses of more severe degree in relation to those just positive on HPV type 16. HPV typization has higher predictive value for diagnosis of the rezidual disease in older patients. Sensitivity of HPV typization for diagnosis all CIN relapse degrees is 68.57%, for more severe degrees (HSIL and MIC) 90.47%, specificity is 93.33%, while positive and negative predictive values are 90.47% and 93.53%, respectively. Sensitivity of cytology for diagnosis of more severe CIN relapses is 80.95%. HPV typization used along with cytology ofters the highest sensitivity (95.23%). Conclusion. Both tests, HPV typization and Pap smear, offer satisfactory sensitivity and high specificity in detection of relapse, parcticularly those with more severe degree. The highest sensitivity in detection of CIN relapse is obtained by using both tests.

Background/Aim. Deregulation of the normal cell cycle is common in upper urothelial carcinoma (UUC). The aim of this study was to investigate the expression of regulatory proteins of the cell cycle (p53, p16, cyclin D1, HER-2) and proliferative Ki-67 activity in UUC, and to determine their interaction and influence on the phenotypic characteristics of UUC. Methods. In 44 patients with UUC, histopathological and immunohistochemical analyses (p53, p16, cyclin D1, HER-2, and Ki-67) of tumors were done. Results. Overexpression/ altered expression of p53, p16, cyclin D1 or HER-2 was detected in 20%, 57%, 64%, and 57% of tumors, respectively. Eleven (25%) UUC had a high proliferative Ki-67 index. Forty patients (91%) had at least one marker altered, while four (9%) tumors had a wild-type status. Analysis of relationship between expressions of molecular markers showed that only high expression of p53 was significantly associated with altered p16 activity (p < 0.05). High Ki-67 index was associated with the high stage (p < 0.005), solid growth (p < 0.01), high grade (p < 0.05), and multifocality p < 0.05) of UUC, while high expression of p53 was associated with the solid growth (p < 0.05). In regression models that included all molecular markers and phenotypic characteristics, only Ki-67 correlated with the growth (p < 0.0001), stage (p < 0.01), grade (p < 0.05) and multifocality (p < 0.05) of UUC; Ki-67 and HER-2 expression correlated with the lymphovascular invasion (p < 0.05). Conclusions. This investigation showed that only negative regulatory proteins of the cell cycle, p53 and p16, were significantly associated in UUC, while proliferative marker Ki-67 was in relation to the key phenotypic characteristics of UUC in the best way.

The aim of this research was to investigate the effects of Azotobacter chroococcum in tomato and pepper growth and production by using two types of inoculation - seed inoculation and seedling inoculation. The effect of inoculation was observed thirty days after sowing, thirty days after transplanting, and in the phase of technological maturity. The following were measured: height of the plants, dry matter of the plants and number and the weight of the fruits. Inoculation had a positive effect on these in both plants. With tomato, better results were achieved when seedlings were inoculated. With pepper, the length of the plant and the dry matter were greater with seedling inoculation, whereas the number and the weight of the fruits were greater with seed inoculation.

Background/Aim. The vascular supply of dysplastic nodules (DN) is altered compared with surrounding cirrhotic nodules. Dysplastic nodules contain unpaired arteries which are isolated arteries unaccompained by bille ducts. In adition, capillarization or neovascularization is evident on CD34 and CD31 staining. The investigation of angiogenic profile of regenerative, dysplastic and nodules of hepatocellular carcinoma aimed at assessing whether vascular profile is in reliance to the process of dedifferentiation of hepatocytes during the course of cirrhosis. Methods. Thirty four liver nodules from surgical biopsies of 12 patients previously undiagnosed to have cirrhosis, were classified as regenerative, dysplastic and small hepatocellular carcinomas (HCC). The investigation included 8 large regenerative nodules (LRN), 11 low grade dysplastic nodules (LGDN), 12 high grade dysplastic nodules (HGDN) and 3 early HCC. Serial sections of the nodules and surrounding cirrhotic liver tissue were immunostained against CD34. The vascular counting method was performed. The results were analysed using SPSS computer statistical program. Results. The number of capillary unites showed significant differences among nodular types, with the largest number of capillaries in hepatocellular carcinoma as well as strong reliance to dedifferentiation. Conclusion. There is a significant correlation of sinusoidal capillarization to dediferentiation of the liver tissue during the course of cirrhosis. From diagnostic view, capillary counting may be helpfull to distinguish dysplastic from nondysplastic nodules. The appearance of dysplastic nodules in nonselected surgical biopsies is frequent enough to challenge caution during the follow-up of cirrhotic patients.

Background/Aim. Bethesda system of classification of cytological findings was introduced in 2001 two subcategories in the category of atypical squamous cells (ASC) findings: ASC of undetermined significance (ASC-US) and ASC which cannot exclude high-grade intraepithelial lesions (ASC-H). The aim of our study was to assess a possible association of these two subcategories with pathologic biopsy finding and to find out the best further diagnostic proceedings. Methods. At the Clinic of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Niš 130 patients with ASC findings were analyzed. Colposcopy was performed in all study participants. Patients with pathological colposcopic findings underwent cervical biopsy. In 10 patients with pathologic histologic and 15 with benign findings human papilloma virus (HPV) typization was done using the Hybrid Capture method. Results. Patients with ASC-H finding had significantly more pathologic biopsies compared with patients with ASC-US finding (57.84: 20.72). Conclusion. Colposcopy was exhibited somewhat higher sensitivity compared to HPV typization (94.7 : 90), but lower sensitivity (79.27 : 86.6). The usage of HPV typization in the triage of patients with ASC cytologic smear induces statistically significant reduction of unnecessary percentage of cervical biopsies.

Background/Aim. The prevalence of endometrial polyps (EPs) in the general female population is about 24%. Abnormal uterine bleeding is frequently the presenting symptom of EPs. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence and characteristics of EPs in patients with abnormal uterine bleeding. Methods. The prevalence and characteristics of EPs were investigated in 961 patients with abnormal uterine bleeding who underwent dilatation and curettage between January and December 2006. Regarding histopathological features of EPs (presence of atypical hyperplasia or endometrial carcinoma), patients were divided into two groups: group A - patients who had EPs and EPs with hyperplasia without atypia (n = 204) and group B - patients who had EPs with atypical hyperplasia and EPs with carcinoma (n = 7). Results. In 211 (21.94%) patients EPs were found with abnormal uterine bleeding. Histopathologically, there were 175 (82.94%) EPs, 29 (13.74%) EPs with hyperplasia without atypia, 5 (2.37%) EPs with atypical hyperplasia, and 2 (0.95%) EPs with endometrial carcinoma. Contrary to the patients with EPs and EPs with hyperplasia without atypia (group A), patients who had EPs with atypical hyperplasia and EPs with carcinoma (group B) were older (p < 0.05), and more commonly postmenopausal (p < 0.05) and with hypertension (p < 0.05), all of statistical significance. Conclusion. The prevalence of endometrial polyps in patients with abnormal uterine bleeding according to our data was 21.95%. Atypical hyperplasia and endometrial carcinoma were rarely confined to a polyp. Older age, postmenopausal period and hypertension may increase the risk of premalignant and malignant changes in endometrial polyps.

Background/Aim. Ovary is the organ of the female reproductive system most commonly affected by metastases. The aim of the study was to determine the frequency and features of metastatic ovarian tumors (MOT) depending on the site of the primary malignant tumor. Methods. The study group consisted of 488 patients with histopathologically confirmed ovarian cancers treated at the Clinic of Oncology, Clinical Center Niš, in the period from 1 January 1998 to 31 December 2005. MOT were found in 41 patients. Regarding the site of the primary malignant tumor, those with secondary ovarian tumor were divided into two groups: group A - primary malignant tumor involving the genital organs (n = 30) and group B - primary malignant tumor of extragenital origin (n = 11). Results. MOT were confirmed in 8.40% (41/488) of the patients. Secondary ovarian malignancies were the consequence of endometrial carcinoma spreading in 73.17%, breast carcinoma in 19.51%, stomach carcinoma in 4.88% and colon carcinoma in 2.44% of the cases. No significant differences were found between the group A and group B by the factors of age, body mass index, parity and menopausal status. Contrary to the group A, metastatic tumors in the group B patients were more commonly asymptomatic (p < 0.001), bilateral (p < 0.05), with larger ovarian diameter (p < 0.05), associated with ascites (p < 0.001) and abdominal metastases (p < 0.01), all of statistical significance. Conclusions. Metastatic tumors made up 8.40% of ovarian neoplasmas. With non-genital primary tumors, secondary ovarian deposits were frequently asymptomatic, bilateral, associated with larger ovarian diameter, ascites and abdominal metastatic deposits, compared to malignant tumors of genital origin.

Background/Aim. A significant increase in colonic carcinoma has been analyzed in numerous clinic-pathological studies and genetics models. The aim of this study was to determinate the differences in clinic-pathological parameters of colonic carcinoma regarding localization and histological type. Methods. The study enrolled 124 patients who had undergone surgery for colorectal carcinoma at the Clinic of Surgery in the town of Nis within 2005. Paraffin sections were stained with Hematoxilin-eosin (H&E), High iron diamine-Alcian blue (HID-AB) (pH-2.5) and Alcian blue-Preiodic arid Shiff (AB-PAS) (pH-2.5) methods. From pathological report we used data regarding: localization (right or left colon), histological type, histological grade, and parameters which determinate the tumor stage. Results. The total number of patients with right-sided colonic carcinoma was 40 (32.36%) and 84 (67.74%) with left-sided colonic carcinoma. Histopathologically, 96 (77.42%) adenocarcinomas and 28 (22.58%) mucinous adenocarcinomas were verified. There were no statistically significant differences between the right-sided and left-sided colonic carcinoma regarding sex, age, histological grade and tumor stage (p > 0.05). Mucinous adenocarcinomas was statistically significantly more frequent in right-sided colon (35.00%) than in left-sided colon (16.67%) (p < 0.05). There were no statistically significant differences between adenocarcinomas and mucinous adenocarcinomas regarding sex and disease stage. In younger patients the percentage of mucinous adenocarcinomas (28.57%) compared to nonmucinous ones (11.46%) was significantlly higher (p < 0.05) than in older patients. Mucinous adenocarcinomas had statistically significantly more frequently poor differentiation in comparison to adenocarcinomas (46.43% versus 9.37%, p < 0.001). Conclusion. According to the presented results it can be concluded that the lower grade of differentiation of the colon adenocarcinoma and mucinous secretion are significantly often present in younger patients.

Background/Aim. Prostatic intraepithelial high grade neoplasia (PINHG) is accepted as preneoplastic lesion in prostatic carcinoma. One of the fundamental events in early oncogenesis is the disruption of proliferative activity. One of the numerous regulatory proteins is Ki-67 expressed in all proliferating cells. Index Ki-67 is considered to have prognostic significance. The aim of the study was to compare the level of proliferation in hyperplastic epithelium, prostatic carcinoma (Gleason score > 6) and PINHG. Methods. Micromorphological examination was done in 85 patients. Pathohistological analysis was performed on standard histologic specimens with the estimation of Gleason score and the presence of PINHG in its surroundings. Nuclear proliferative activity was analyzed immunohistochemically in 19 cases, using a monoclonal anti-Ki-67 antibody. Results. PINHG was found in prostatic carcinoma surrounding in 30% of the patients. In hyperplastic epithelia Ki-67 proliferative activity was 1,08, in PINHG 2,25 (p < 0,05), while in prostatic cancer, Ki-67 index was 17,64. Proliferative activity in prostatic carcinoma was significantly higher than in PINHG (p < 0,001) and hyperplasia (p < 0,001). Conclusion. This study confirmed that high grade PIN lesion predominately appears in the surrounding of poor or moderately differentiated prostate carcinoma, and that it represents progressive disorder of proliferation in preneoplastic and neoplastic prostatic epithelium. .

Background/Aim. The aim of this study was to apply computer- assisted methodology in assessment of Ki-67 positivity in "adenoma-like" dysplasia associated lesions or masses (DALMs), and carcinoma in ulcerative colitis (UC), and to determine a new approach to grading of Ki-67 staining intensity. Methods. Immunohistochemical slides were quantitatively analyzed for estimation of proportion and intensity of Ki-67 positive-stained cells in a total of 50 "adenoma-like" DALMs (27 with low-grade dysplasia and 23 with high-grade dysplasia), and 17 adenocarcinomas associated with UC. The four grades of immunohistochemical staining intensity were established by an automated classification of nuclear optical densities. Results. The Ki-67 labeling index (LI) in low-grade dysplasia was significantly lower than in high-grade dysplasia, and carcinoma (p < 0.001). The Ki-67 LI of carcinomas was not significantly different from the value obtained in highgrade dysplasia (p > 0.05), however having the difference in percentage values of the moderate stained nuclei (p < 0.05). The overall average values of chromogene nuclear optical density, showed statistically significant differences between DALMs and carcinoma (p < 0.05), although not between normal mucosa and low-grade dysplasia (p > 0.05). Conclusion. The obtained results imply, according to the overall percentage of labeled nuclei, that high-grade dysplasia is very close to carcinoma, while there is the difference in the percentage of moderately stained nuclei. We showed that Ki-67 positivity have a different internal distribution which could be useful in analysing these lesions. These findings also, indicate the important biological differences between low-grade dysplasia and carcinoma in UC, and a low proliferative potential of the former. Automated image analysis permits an objective estimation of Ki-67 immunohistochemical staining in UCassociated dysplasia and carcinoma.

Background/Aim. Endometrial carcinoma is the most common malignant neoplasm of the female genital tract in developed countries. Endometrioid carcinoma represents about three-fourths of all endometrial carcinoma. The aim of this study was to examine pathologic parameters, age, and the 5-year survival of the patients with FIGO stage I endometrial carcinoma of endometrioid type and to assess the prognostic utility of age, depth of myometrial invasion, hystologic type (endometrioid or variant), histologic grade, nuclear grade, and lymph-vascular space invasion. Methods. Age, pathologic parameters, and survival data were retrospectively collected on 236 patients with FIGO stage I endometrial carcinoma of endometrioid type. All the patients underwent hysterectomy between 1996 and 2000 and follow-up until December 2005. Results. A total of 236 patients (mean age 58.0, range 40−79) were analyzed. During the 5-year period of follow-up, 59 (25.0%) patents died from the disease. An univariate analysis revealed that age, depth of myometrial invasion, histologic grade, nuclear grade, and lymph-vascular space invasion were associated significantly with the 5-year survival of the patients. A multivariate analysis revealed that age, lymph-vascular space invasion, and depth of myometrial invasion were associated significantly with the 5-year survival. Conclusion. Age, lymph-vascular space invasion, and depth of myometrial invasion are independent prognostic parameters for the 5-year survival of the patients with FIGO stage I endometrial carcinoma of endometrioid type.

Peritonitis carcinomatosa, indicating the presence of malignant cells in the peritoneal cavity, is a well- known complication of malignant disease. The collection of intraperitoneal fluid in a patient with ovarian cancer is most likely due to intraperitoneal spread of disease. The recognition of small quantities of intraperitoneal fluid may have staging and prognostic significance, while symptomatic large collections may reflect end-stage disease, which permits only palliative therapeutic options. In this paper we dis- cussed the pathogenesis of malignant ascites in ovarian cancer patients and suggested potential new treatment approaches.

Gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GISTs) represent a distinct and the most important subset of mesenchymal tumors of the gastrointestinal (GI) tract GISTs occur throughout the GI tract but are usually located in the stomach and small intestine. The cellular origin, differentiation, nomenclature and prognosis of GISTs are controversial. Because GISTs, like the interstitial cells of Cajal, the GI pacemaker cells, express CD117 (c-kit protein), the origin of GISTs from the Cajal cells has recently been suggested. GISTs are also known for their wide variability in clinical behavior and for the difficulty to determine their malignant condition The most reproducible predictors of malignancy are mitotic count >1-5 per10 high-powered fields (HPF), size >5 cm, tumor necrosis, infiltration and metastasis to other sites. However, some tumors with mitotic activity

Ritodrine is the only medicament approved by FDA in the USA as well as in our country for prevention of the threatening preterm labor. Its adverse effects upon the respiratory and cardiovascular systems, including pulmonary edema and myocardial ischemia, occur more frequently during the intravenous therapy than during the oral maintenance therapy. The aim of this report was to present a patient with cardiovascular adverse effects of ritodrine, who had her pregnancy terminated by an urgent cesarean section under general anesthesia. In the course of operation, the patient had two cardiac arrest (total of 70 min). Resuscitation was performed by direct and indirect heart massage. The patient's condition was stabilized during the next six hours. The patient was transferred to the coronary unit, where the treatment was continued for 30-days period, after which the patient was released home as completely recovered.

Probiotics are increasingly more present both as functional foods, and in pharmaceutical preparations with multiple levels of action that contribute to human health. Probiotics realize their positive effects with a proper dose, and by maintaining a declared number of probiotics cells by the expiration date. Important precondition for developing a probiotic product is the right choice of clinically proven probiotic strain, the choice of other active components, as well as, the optimization of the quantity of active component of probiotic per product dose. This scientific paper describes the optimization of the number of probiotics cells in the formulation of dietary supplement that contains probiotic culture Lactobacillus plantarum 299v, iron and vitamin C. Variations of the quantity of active component were analyzed in development batches of the encapsulated probiotic product categorized as dietary supplement with the following ingredients: probiotic culture, sucrosomal form of iron and vitamin C. Optimal quantity of active component L. plantarum of 50 mg, was selected. The purpose of this scientific paper is to select the optimal formulation of probiotic culture in a dietary supplement that contains iron and vitamin C, and to also determine its expiration date by the analysis of the number of viable probiotic cells.