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It has been an entire century since the introduction of insulin into clinical practice, which, among other, led to improvements of fertility and pregnancy outcomes of women suffering from gestational diabetes. The prevalence of diabetes worldwide and in Serbia is high and tends to increase as a consequence of modern lifestyle. Nevertheless, modern diagnostic and therapeutic approaches enable people with diabetes to achieve and complete pregnancies without adverse outcomes. Gestational diabetes can be considered as non-communicable disease and efforts should be made to determine its effects on offspring. In the context of COVID-19 pandemic, diabetes mellitus was identified as an important risk factor for severe forms of the disease.

Metabolic changes occur due to the effects of placental hormones such as human chorionic gonadotropin and human placental lactogen in normal pregnancies. These effects enable the development of insulin resistance among all pregnant women, significantly pronounced in the third trimester. In pregnancies complicated by pre-gestational or gestational diabetes mellitus, these changes are more intensive as they affect the fetoplacental unit. In pregnancies complicated by diabetes the increased number of placental macrophages leads to the increased production of different cytokines which include leptin, tumor necrosis factor alpha, and interleukins. This review addresses placental vascular changes that lead to adverse pregnancy outcomes, along with the effects of the maternal hyperglycemia and fetal hyperinsulinemia.

In order to enhance cost-benefit value of the gestational diabetes mellitus screening (GDM) the concept of universal screening i.e., screening of all pregnant women for gestational diabetes, has mostly been abandoned in favor of the concept of selective screening. Selective screening implies that only women with risk factors are being screened for GDM. However, some recent studies have shown that with the application of the selective screening approach, some women with GDM may not receive proper and timely diagnosis. This review addresses the pros and cons of both concepts. It will also discuss screening methods and methods of preparation and performance of oral glucose tolerance test and the interpretation of its results.

A new process for mine water purification has been proposed, based on biosorption followed by burning the loaded biosorbents. Wheat straw and sawdust of trees are convenient as biosorbents in the proposed process. Biosorption was performed in two stages: a cross-flow regime between the mine water and the biosorbent. The achieved copper adsorption degree was > 95%. Based on the mine water volume and its chemical composition, the estimated amount of the biosorbent was 60.000 t/year. The cogenerative mode of the loaded biosorbent combustion was considered for green energy production. For the recovery of metals concentrated in the ash, they must be processed separately. Several possibilities for ash processing were proposed and discussed. For an annual volume of mine water and the copper content in it, the mass and energy balances of the process were estimated, giving some economic data on the process efficiency. The analysis of the revenues and costs, based only on the energy value produced by the combustion of the biosorbent, has shown that the process can economically be viable regardless of the value of the recovered metal.

Lead ions removal from aqueous solutions onto bean shells is presented in this paper. The experiments were conducted in a batch system. The bean shells samples were rinsed with distilled water before the adsorption experiments. The analysis of the rinsed water showed that a significant amount of alkali and alkaline-earth metal ions are transferred from the adsorbent structure into the rinsed solution during the rinsing process. The COD analysis showed that these waters should be treated before being discharged into the surrounding watercourses. The influence of different process parameters (the pH value of the solution, the initial metal ions concentration, and the initial mass of the adsorbent) on the adsorption capacity was investigated. The adsorption capacity was higher at higher pH values of the solution. The adsorption capacity showed a decrease with the increase in the mass of the adsorbent. The increase in the initial metal ions concentration was shown to lead to an increase in the adsorption capacity until 0.8 g dm-3, after which a slight decrease was noted. Characterization of the adsorbent was performed by SEM-EDX, DTA-TGA, and FTIR analysis. The SEM-EDX analysis indicates a change in the morphology of the sample after the adsorption, as well as that K and Mg are possibly exchanged with lead ions during the adsorption process. The results obtained by the DTA-TGA analysis showed a weight loss of 77.8 % in the temperature range from 20oC to 900oC. The FTIR analysis indicated that the amide group is involved in the adsorption process. The pseudo-second order kinetic model was shown to be the best fit for the analyzed data, which led to the conclusion that chemisorption was a possible way of binding lead ions onto the surface of the bean shells. The Hill isotherm model was the best model for the analyzed adsorption equilibrium data. Obtained thermodynamic data indicated that the adsorption process was spontaneous, endothermic, and disordered, in which lead ions are bound to the surface of the bean shells by chemisorption. The maximum achieved adsorption capacity was 46.36 mg g-1.

This paper presents the results of the Pb2+ adsorption from synthetic Pb(NO3)2 solutions, using the beech sawdust and wheat straw as adsorbents. Physicochemical characterization of the adsorbents included the specific surface area, pHpzc, SEM-EDS and FTIR analysis. Adsorption kinetics and isotherms, as well as changes in the pH solution during the process, were monitored and analyzed. The results showed that the adsorption is well explained by the pseudosecond order kinetic model for both adsorbents. Adsorption of the Pb2+ on sawdust and straw is well described by the Temkin isotherm, which is confirmed by the high values of the regression coefficient R2. The maximum adsorption capacity of lead ions on the beech sawdust and wheat straw was 9.9 and 9.7 mg g-1, respectively. The obtained results have indicated that the beech sawdust and wheat straw are suitable adsorbents for the adsorption of lead ions from dilute aqueous solutions.

Ambrosia artemisiifolia (common ragweed) and A. trifida (giant ragweed) are very important weed species that are invasive in Serbia and are often found in agricultural regions. When these weeds are present at high densities, crop yields can be significantly reduced or even completely destroyed. Unlike A. artemisiifolia, A. trifida is locally present in the Central Backa region (Vojvodina province), and it is expected that its area of distribution will expand in the future. Starting from the assumption that future distribution of A. trifida could take on larger proportions than now, the aim of this study was focused on examining the interaction between these two species. Experiments were conducted using the replacement design model, in which Ambrosia trifida/Ambrosia artemisiifolia per m2, were planted as density ratios of 10/0; 8/2; 4/6; 6/4; 2/8, and 0/10, in a completely randomized block system with four replications. The vegetative parameters (height and dry mass) of A. artemisiifolia were measured in July, August and September over a period of two years (2016 and 2017), and the results were statistically analysed in the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS 23). In July 2016, the average height of A. artemisiifolia was in the range between 35.00 and 50.40 cm, in August it was from 68.00 to 95.50 cm, and between 83.75 and 99.80 cm in September. In the following season (2017), the corresponding values ranged from 56.19 to 78.50 (July), 98.38 to 125.50 cm (August) and 111.19 to 148.50 (September). An increase in the number of A. artemisiifolia plants and decrease in A. trifida counts per m2 caused an increase in the dry mass of A. artemisiifolia per plant. The dry mass of A. artemisiifolia ranged from 4.22 to 6.11 g/plant (July), 8.96 to 10.27 g/plant (August) and 7.04 to 19.53 g/plant (September). In the following season, these values ranged from 9.62 to 14.60 g/plant, 14.37 to 28.90 g/plant, and 23.43 to 40.47 g/plant in July, August and September, respectively. Minimum values of vegetative parameters were recorded in the treatment with 2 plants, and maximum in the treatment with 10 A. artemisiifolia plants/m2. This means that interspecific competition is more pronounced in this ragweed species than intraspecific competition.

The acidic skin pH is one of the regulating factors of skin barrier homeostasis. Topical products as extrinsic factors which influence skin pH could be used for acidification of the skin and consequent beneficial effect. To formulate stabile and safe topical emulsion product with low pH is on-going challenge and areas interesting to explore are related to the effect of acidic products on the skin pH together with development of protocols for these studies. Aim of our work was to investigate formulations of acidic topical products with glycolic acid (GA) stabilized with long chain alkyl polyglucoside emulsifier, in regard to the specific colloidal structure of the vehicle, together with effect of products with different concentration of acidic active on skin pH.Investigated formulations were basic vehicle and two creams with glycolic acid (concentration 2 and 10 wt%). Microstructure was investigated by polarization microscopy, Raman spectral imaging, thermal analysis and rheological measurements. Effects on the skin were assessed by measurement of biophysical skin parameters in vivo studies (5-hour, 24-hour and 7-days). In vitro screening of antimicrobial activity was performed against bacteria Staphylococcus epidermidis.Polarization micrographs and Raman images have shown that GA does not disturb the specific colloidal structure. Together with rheological and thermal analysis obtained results have shown that GA in higher concentrations contributes to vehicles' lamellar structure. In 5-hour study the mean values of skin pH ranged from 3.98-4.25 and 3.89-4.10 after application of products with smaller and higher GA concentration. GA samples lowered skin surface pH to 5 and less in 24-hour and 7-day study, with stronger effect of sample with more GA. Sample with 10% of GA had significant inhibitory effect on growth of S. epidermidis in 1:1 concentration.Investigated APG emulsifier could be used as a stabilizer for acidic topical products with GA which are characterized by satisfactory safety profile. Topical products induce acidification of the skin after short- and long-term application without barrier impairment or sign of irritation. Acidification of the skin depends on presence of ingredients which are proton donors and their concentrations.Le pH acide de la peau est l’un des facteurs de régulation de l’homéostasie de la barrière cutanée. Les produits topiques pourraient être utilisés en tant que facteurs extrinsèques d’influence du pH cutané pour permettre l’acidification de la peau et obtenir l’effet bénéfique qui en résulte. Formuler des émulsions topiques stables et sûres à faible pH représente un défi constant et les domaines d’étude dignes d’intérêt portent sur l’effet des produits acides sur le pH cutané et sur l’élaboration de protocoles pour ces études. L’objectif de notre travail était d’étudier des formulations de produits topiques acides à base d’acide glycolique (AG) stabilisé à l’aide d’un émulsionnant à base d’alkylpolyglucoside (APG) à longue chaîne, par rapport à la structure colloïdale spécifique de l’excipient, ainsi que l’effet des produits à différentes concentrations d’acide actif sur le pH cutané. MÉTHODES: Les formulations étudiées étaient un excipient de base et deux crèmes à base d’acide glycolique (concentration égale à 2 % et 10 % de la fraction massique). La microstructure a été étudiée par microscopie à polarisation, par spectroscopie Raman, par analyse thermique et par mesures rhéologiques. Les effets cutanés ont été évalués par la mesure des paramètres cutanés biophysiques dans des études in vivo (5 heures, 24 heures et 7 jours). Un dépistage in vitro de l’activité antimicrobienne a été effectué sur la bactérie Staphylococcus epidermidis. RÉSULTATS: Les micrographies après polarisation et les images obtenues par spectroscopie Raman ont montré que l’AG ne perturbe pas la structure colloïdale spécifique. Avec les analyses rhéologique et thermique, les résultats obtenus ont montré que l’AG à des concentrations plus élevées joue un rôle dans la structure lamellaire des excipients. Dans l’étude de 5 heures, les valeurs moyennes du pH cutané allaient de 3,98 à 4,25 et de 3,89 à 4,10 après l’application des produits présentant une concentration d’AG plus faible et plus élevée. Grâce aux échantillons d’AG, le pH de la surface cutanée a diminué, passant ainsi à une valeur de 5 et à des valeurs inférieures dans les études de 24 heures et de 7 jours, et l’échantillon contenant davantage d’AG a eu un effet plus important. L’échantillon contenant 10 % d’AG a eu un effet inhibiteur significatif sur la croissance de la bactérie S. epidermidis à une concentration de 1:1.L’émulsionnant à base d’APG étudié pourrait être utilisé comme stabilisateur pour les produits topiques acides à base d’AG caractérisés par un profil d’innocuité satisfaisant. Les produits topiques induisent une acidification de la peau après une application à court et à long terme sans altération de la barrière cutanée ou signe d’irritation. L’acidification de la peau dépend de la présence de donneurs de proton parmi les composants et de leurs concentrations.

This study focuses on the development of biocompatible oil-in-water (O/W) nanoemulsions based on polyglycerol esters, as promising carriers for natural actives: red raspberry seed oil&mdash, RO and hydro-glycolic fruit extracts from red raspberry&mdash, RE and French oak&mdash, FE. Nanoemulsions were obtained via phase inversion composition (PIC) method at room temperature by dilution of microemulsion phase, confirmed by visual appearance, percentage of transmittance, microscopic, rheological and Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC) investigations. The results have shown that the basic RO-loaded formulation could be further enriched with hydro-glycolic fruit extracts from red raspberry or French oak, while keeping a semi-transparent appearance due to the fine droplet size (Z-ave: 50 to 70 nm, PDI value &le, 0.1). The highest antioxidant activity (~92% inhibition of the DPPH radical) was achieved in the formulation containing both lipophilic (RO) and hydrophilic antioxidants (FE), due to their synergistic effect. The nanoemulsion carrier significantly increased the selective cytotoxic effect of RO towards malignant melanoma (Fem-X) cells, compared to normal human keratinocytes (HaCaT). In vivo study on human volunteers showed satisfactory safety profiles and significant improvement in skin hydration during 2 h after application for all nanoemulsions. Therefore, polyglycerol ester-based nanoemulsions can be promoted as effective carriers for red raspberry seed oil and/or hydro-glycolic fruit extracts in topical formulations intended for skin protection and hydration.

Field experiments were conducted to quantify the effects of nicosulfuron on biological production of weedy sunflower (Helianthus annuus). Plants of this weed species were sown in plots sized 5x4.2 m with inter-row spacing of 24 cm, and 70 cm distance between rows. Plants with two pairs of developed leaves were treated with nicosulfuron using the next rates: 0, 10, 20, 40, 60 and 80 g a.i. ha-1. Vegetative parameters (plant height, fresh weight and leaf area) were recorded five times during vegetation, including the first measurement just before herbicide application and four measurements at intervals of about two weeks. Head and seed production (number of heads per plant, head weight, head diameter, weight of seeds per head, weight of seeds per plant, number of seeds per plant) were determined after seed maturity. The application of nicosulfuron caused growth reduction of weedy sunflower in comparison with the control. All application rates of this herbicide reduced vegetative (height, fresh weight, leaf area) and some generative (number of heads per plant, weight of seeds per plant, number of seeds per plant) parameters, which decreased with increasing rates of nicosulfuron. Effects on the remaining generative test parameters (head weight, head diameter, weight of seeds per head) were not analogous to the effects on other parameters. Efekat nikosulfurona na biološku produkciju hibridne forme korovskog suncokreta (Helianthus annuus) ispitivan je u poljskim ogledima. Biljke ove korovske vrste su posejane na parcelicama veličine 5x4,2 m, sa rastojanjem biljaka u redu od 24 cm i razmakom između redova od 70 cm. Biljke u fazi dva para razvijenih listova su tretirane nikosulfuronom, koji je primenjen u sledećim količinama: 0, 10, 20, 40, 60 i 80 g a.s. ha-1. Vegetativni parametri (visina biljaka, sveža masa i površina listova) su mereni pet puta tokom vegetacije, što uključuje prvo merenje neposredno pre primene herbicida i četiri merenja u intervalima od oko dve nedelje. Produkcija glavica i semena (broj glavica po biljci, masa glavice, prečnik glavice, masa semena po glavici, masa semena po biljci, broj semena po biljci) je određena nakon sazrevanja semena. Primena nikosulfurona je prouzrokovala redukciju rasta hibridne forme korovskog suncokreta u poređenju sa kontrolom. Sve količine ovog herbicida su redukovale vegetativne (visina biljaka, sveža masa i površina listova) i neke generativne (broj glavica po biljci, masa semena po biljci, broj semena po biljci) parametre, koji su se smanjivali sa povećanjem količine nikosulfurona. Efekat na ostale generativne parametre (masa glavice, prečnik glavice, masa semena po glavici) nije bio uporediv sa efektom na ostale parametre.

Field dodder (Cuscuta campestris Yunck.) is a very harmful parasitic weed species worldwide which infests many crops, including alfalfa as a foremost forage crop. Glyphosate has been an effective herbicide for field dodder control even though side effects occasionally occur in alfalfa plants. To find out and quantify the effects of glyphosate (288 and 360 g a.i. ha(-1)) on field dodder control, alfalfa forage yield, and physiological and anatomical features of alfalfa plants under controlled conditions were aims of the study. Physiologic (chlorophyll a, chlorophyll b, total carotenoids); and anatomic parameters were measured. Leaf anatomic parameters were thicknesses of upper epidermis, palisade and spongy tissues, mesophyll and underside leaf epidermis, and diameter of bundle sheath cells. Stem anatomic parameters were thicknesses of epidermis and cortex, and diameters of stem and central cylinder (pith). Both rates of glyphosate caused recovery of the harmful effects of field dodder on alfalfa, which shows that glyphosate can control field dodder at early stages of infestation on alfalfa.

The application of minimal doses of herbicides is very popular due to concerns about the negative impacts of herbicides on the environment and public health. Studies were conducted to estimate the possibility of using quick and non- destructive methods to investigate

Abutilon theophrasti is a weed that is spreading worldwide and that has had to adapt to different combinations of environmental conditions. Wide interpopulation variability has been reported regarding dormancy and germination. This variability, controlled by the interaction of genetic diversity and maternal effect, could hinder the adoption of Integrated Weed Management (IWM) tools. A collaborative project was conducted to compare emergence dynamics of 12 European and North American populations under diverse environmental conditions. The main aim was to assess interpopulation variability and explain this according to environmental conditions in the seed collection sites. Seeds were sown at six experimental sites, and seedling emergence was monitored. The AlertInf model was tested to evaluate its ability to predict emergence dynamics of the different populations. A wide interpopulation variability was observed for emergence percentage and dynamics with consistent trends across sites and related to different seed dormancy levels. Populations from Catalonia, Iowa and Minnesota reached higher emergence percentage with earlier and concentrated emergence flushes probably due to low dormancy level, while populations from Croatia, Serbia and Hungary, given their low average emergence percentage, presented high dormancy levels. Good predictive accuracy of AlertInf model was obtained at the different sites, confirming the possibility of adopting it across a wide range of environmental conditions. Achieving a better knowledge of interpopulation variability can allow specific control strategies to be designed, facilitating the replacement of solely herbicide- based management with true IWM.

Acid mine drainage (AMD) waters are one of the most important ecological risks at the global level because of its high heavy metals content and strong acidity. Treatment of AMD water is a complex and expensive. One of the most widely used treatment process is the neutralization process of AMD. The result of neutralization is the production of sludge which may contain various other (heavy) metals, depending on the chemical characteristics of the mine water treated. In this paper, leachability and toxicity of the sludges obtained during the neutralization process of wastewater from Saraka and Robule acid mine drainage and the sludges after the stabilization process at different temperatures is tested. Sludge produced in the neutralization process of Robule AMD R4 (40) and stabilized on 105°C and 200°C shows a H8-corrosiveness characteristic. Stabilized sludge show tendency to lower leachability of zinc and copper, but without influence on sulphate leachability. Sludges that show a H8-corrosiveness needs additional stabilization/neutralization pretreatment prior temperature treatment.

Gender differences in language have been extensively investigated by sociolinguists since 1960s. This paper aimed to study gender differences in the personal pronouns usage on the corpus of the last completed 113th United States Congress. All uninterrupted speeches (672 by women and 3, 655 by men) whose transcripts were downloaded from the official repository Thomas were analyzed with the text analysis software Linguistic Inquiry and Word Count calculating the degree to which the politicians use personal pronouns. In addition, the computational analysis results were further analyzed with the software for statistical analysis SPSS. The quantitative analysis results pointed to minor statistically significant gender differences in the personal pronouns usage. However, the qualitative analysis showed more subtle gender differences pointing to linguistic changes in stereotypization.

The physiological and anatomical impact of field dodder (Cuscuta campestris Yunck.) on alfalfa and sugar beet was examined under controlled conditions. The following parameters were checked: physiological — content of pigments (chlorophyll a, chlorophyll b, and carotenoids) and mineral nutrients: nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, and percent of organic and mineral nutrients; and anatomical — thickness of the epidermis and cortex, diameter of the stem and central cylinder of alfalfa plants, diameter of tracheids and phloem cells, area of xylem and phloem, and hydraulic conductance of petiole bundles in petiole vascular bundles of sugar beet plants. Leaf parameters were also measured on both host plants: thickness of upper and underside leaf epidermis, thickness of palisade, spongy and mesophyll tissue, and diameter of vascular bundle cells. Pigments content and anatomical parameters were measured 7, 14, 21, 28, 35, and 42 d after infestation (DAI), while mineral nutrient contents were determined 20 and 40 DAI. Field dodder caused a significant reduction in pigments content in infested alfalfa (15%–68%) and sugar beet plants (1%–54%). The results obtained in this study confirmed that this parasitic flowering plant has a strong effect on most anatomical parameters of the stem and leaf of alfalfa and leaf and petiole of sugar beet. Also, it was revealed that field dodder increased the contents of N, P2O5, K2O, and organic nutrients in infested alfalfa plants, while infested sugar beet plants had higher contents of N and organic nutrients compared with non-infested plants.

Gene flow is a main concern associated with the use of herbicide resistant sunflower crops because it could transfer herbicide resistance traits to weedy sunflower. In order to estimate potential gene flow from imazamox and tribenuron-methyl resistant sunflower hybrids to weedy sunflower, field experiments and DNA analysis were conducted. The progeny of weedy sunflower which grown near imazamox (WS1) and tribenuron-methyl (WS2) resistant hybrid in previous experiments were used. In the field experiment, recommended rates of imazamox and tribenuron-methyl were applied to WS1 and WS2, respectively, and plants surviving were recorded. Herbicides effect on fresh weight of survived plants were also determined. The presence of mutations responsible for sunflower resistance to herbicides (imazamox and tribenuron-methyl) checked based on DNA analysis of selected survived plants. Percentage of survived plants in field experiment was recorded at maturity and depend on weedy sunflower accession (WS1or WS2) and distance of their mother plants from resistant sunflower hybrid in previous experiment and was higher for WS2 (50.25%) than for WS1 (24.50%). As DNA analysis were not confirmed the presence of the point mutations responsible for sunflower resistance to imazamox and tribenuron-methyl. [Project of the Serbian Ministry of Education, Science and Technological Development, Grant no. III46008]

The application of minimal doses of herbicides is very popular due to concerns about the negative impacts of herbicides on the environment and public health. Studies were conducted to estimate the possibility of using quick and non- destructive methods to investigate Chenopodium album L. and Abutilon theophrasti Medik. response to mesotrione. The studies were conducted in a controlled environment to determine the response of C. album and A. theophrasti to mesotrione using dose-response curves created based on plant dry weight, chlorophyll fluorescence parameters and chlorophyll content. The obtained effective dose values showed that the studied weeds were susceptible to reduced doses of mesotrione. ED95 values estimated for both species for dry weight and chlorophyll fluorescence parameters were lower than the recommended dose rate (120 g a.i. ha(-1)), with less than 85 g a.i. ha(-1) needed to achieve a reduction of 95%, compared with untreated plants, while ED95 value (A. theophrasti: 182 g a.i. ha(-1) and C. album: 180 g a.i. ha(-1)) for chlorophyll content for both species was above the recommended dose rates. Consequently, dry weight and the chlorophyll fluorescence parameters are suitable for estimating the plant response to mesotrione, while chlorophyll content is not.

The effects of field dodder on physiological processes and the anatomy of alfalfa plants were examined under controlled conditions. The experiment included the following variants: N - noninfested alfalfa plants (control); I - infested alfalfa plants (untreated); T - infested plants treated with imazethapyr. Imazethapyr application rate was 100 g a.i. ha-1. The following parameters were checked: physiological - pigment content (chlorophyll ɑ, chlorophyll b, total carotenoids); anatomical - stem parameters: thickness of epidermis and cortex, and diameter of stem and central cylinder; leaf parameters: thickness of epidermis, parenchyma and spongy tissue, mesophyll and underside leaf epidermis, and diameter of bundle sheath cells in alfalfa plants. Pigment contents and anatomical parameters were measured: prior to herbicide treatment (0 assessment), then 7 (I assessment), 14 (II assessment), 21 (III assessment), 28 (IV assessment) and 35 (V assessment) days after application (DAA). Field dodder was found to affect the contents of chlorophyll ɑ, chlorophyll ɑ and carotenoids in untreated alfalfa plants, causing significant reductions in pigment content. Conversely, percent reduction in the treated plants decreased 22-5% for chlorophyll ɑ, 25-1%, for chlorophyll b, and 21-11% for carotenoids, while a stimulating effect of 1-6% was observed for the contents of chlorophyll b and carotenoids 35 DAA. Plants infested (untreated) by field dodder had lower values of most anatomical parameters, compared to noninfested plants. The measured anatomical parameters of alfalfa stems and leaves had significantly higher values in noninfested plants and plants treated with imazethapyr than in untreated plants. Uticaj viline kosice na anatomske i fiziološke promene kod biljaka lucerke ispitivan je u kontrolisanim uslovima. Praćene su sledeće varijante: N - nezaražene biljke lucerke (kontrola); I- zaražene biljke lucerke i zaražene biljke lucerke tretirane sa imazetapirom (T). Imazetapir je primenjen u količini od 100 g a.i. ha-1. Mereni su sledeći parametri: fiziološki - sadržaj pigmenata (hlorofil ɑ, hlorofil b i ukupni karotenoidi); anatomski - stablo: debljina epidermisa i primarne kore stabla, prečnik centralnog cilindra i prečnik stabla; list: debljina epidermalnih ćelija lica i naličja lista, debljina parenhimskog i sunđerastog tkiva, debljina mezofila i prečnik ćelija omotača provodnih snopića. Sadržaj pigmenata i anatomski parametri su mereni: pre primene herbicida (0 ocena), potom 7, 14, 21, 35 dana nakon primene herbicida. Vilina kosica je prouzrokovala značajnu redukciju sadržaja pigmenata kod netretiranih biljaka lucerke. Nasuprot ovome, kod tretiranim biljaka lucerke procenat redukcije se smanjivao od 22­5% za hlorofil ɑ, 25-1%, za hlorofil b i 21-11% za karotenoide, dok je za hlorofil ɑ i karotenoide 35 dana nakon primene herbicida zabeležen stimulativni efekat od 1-6%. Biljke zaražene vilinom kosicom (netretirane) su imale značajno manje vrednosti za sve merene anatomske parametare u odnosu na tretirane. Naime, mereni anatomski parametri stabla i lista lucerke su značajno veći kod kontrolnih biljaka i tretitanih sa imazetapirom u odnosu na netretirane.

Weedy forms of cultivated sunflower (Helianthus annuus) are invasive species widely distributed in several regions of the world and are commonly controlled by applying acetohydroxyacid synthase (AHAS)-inhibiting herbicides, such as imidazolinones (IMIs) or sulfonylurea (SUs). The widespread adoption of herbicide-resistant crops has exposed the weedy population to the high risk of crop-to-weedy gene flow. The aim of this study was to check and quantify the gene flow from IMI- and SU-resistant sunflower hybrids to weedy sunflower populations. Field experiments were conducted in 2008 at two sites in Serbia to evaluate the relationship of distance between the crop and the weedy sunflower and its impact on the percentage of gene flow. The weedy sunflower progenies were evaluated through herbicide resistance and SSR marker study. Hybridization with IMI-resistant hybrids was not confirmed. Conversly, SU-resistance trials and SSR marker studies partially confirmed the transfer of resistance within the weedy population.

The impact that the parasitic plant field dodder (Cuscuta campestris Yunk.) has on chlorophyll fluorescence and chlorophyll content of infested alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) and sugar beet (Beta vulgaris L.) was examined under controlled conditions. Several parameters of chlorophyll fluorescence were measured in infested and non-infested alfalfa and sugar beet plants over a period of twenty days, beginning with the day of infestation. Chlorophyll contents (total, relative and ratio of chlorophyll a to b) were determined 1, 7, 14 and 20 days after infestation (DAI). Field dodder was found to affect both the total and relative chlorophyll contents in infested alfalfa and sugar beet, causing significant reduction in chlorophyll content in both host plants. This parasitic plant also affects a number of parameters of chlorophyll fluorescence (F-o, F-v/F-m, phi(PSII), F-v and IF), showing that these parameters may be considered sensitive indicators of the impact that field dodder has on its host plants.

Parasitic flowering plants have recently come into focus of research interests as a result of their notable expansion and increasing damage that they are causing in agricultural fields. Damage caused by field dodder in alfalfa crops mainly includes reduced yield of fresh biomass and considerable decrease in seed production. Effective control of field dodder in alfalfa crops necessarily includes a number of preventive measures and procedures, as well as chemical control. The effectiveness of glyphosate, propyzamide, imazethapyr and diquat herbicides in controlling field dodder in alfalfa crops was tested in trials conducted in 2011. Pot and field trials were set up in an experimental field of the Institute of Field and Vegetable Crops in Novi Sad (location Rimski Šančevi) and in a private field at Popovići (vicinity of Mladenovac). In pot trials, two glyphosate application rates (288 and 360 g a.i. ha) achieved the highest effectiveness of 95% and 97.5%, respectively. Both application rates of propyzamide (1500 and 2000 g a.i. ha) had weak effectiveness (85% and 87%, respectively), while imazethapyr (150 g a.i. ha) was the weakest herbicide with 80% efficacy. In field trials at both locations, diquat (450 g a.i. ha) showed the best efficacy in controlling field dodder in alfalfa. The efficacy of all other treatments was weaker at Popovići with the following survival rates of field dodder plants: 25% (glyphosate, 288 g a.i. ha), 15% (glyphosate, 360 g a.i. ha), 79% (propyzamide, 1500 g a.i. ha), 70% (propyzamide, 2000 g a.i. ha) and 72% (imazethapyr, 150 g a.i. ha). At the location Rimski Šančevi, the same treatements resulted in around 1% remaining field dodder plants in alfalfa crop. U novije vreme problematika parazitskih cvetnica postaje sve aktuelnija i dobija veći istraživački prostor upravo zbog njihovog širenja i sve većih šteta koje nanose u poljoprivredi. Štete koje vilina kosica pravi u usevu lucerke se prvenstveno odnose na smanjenje prinosa zelene biomase i značajno smanjenu produkciju semena kod semenske lucerke. Efikasno suzbijanje viline kosice u usevu luceke podrazumeva niz preventivnih mera i postupaka, kao i hemijsku kontrolu. Ispitivanje efikasnosti herbicida (glifosat, propizamid, imazetapir i dikvat) u suzbijanju viline kosice u usevu lucerke urađeno je tokom 2011. godine. Ogledi su izvedeni u saksijama i u polju, na oglednom polju Instituta za ratarstvo i povrtarstvo u Novom Sadu (Rimski Šančevi) i na privatnoj parceli na lokalitetu Popovići (okolina Mladenovca). U ogledu sa saksijama, najbolju efikasnost je ispoljio glifosat u obe primenjene količine (288 i 360 g a.s. ha), 95% odnosno 97.5%. Efikasnost koju je ispoljio propizamid u obe količine primene (1500 i 2000 g a.s. ha) je bila slabija (85% odnosno 87%), dok je najslabiju efikasnost ispoljio imazetapir (150 g a.s. ha), 80%. U poljskim ogledima, na oba lokaliteta, dikvat (450 g a.s. ha) je ispoljio najbolju efikasnost u suzbijanju viline kosice. Na lokalitetu Popovići efikasnost ostalih tretmana je bila slabija, odnosno procenat preživelih jedinki viline kosice je bio: 25% (glifosat, 288 g a.s. ha), 15% (glifosat, 360 g a.s. ha), 79% (propizamid, 1500 g a.s. ha), 70% (propizamid, 2000 g a.s. ha) i 72% (imazetapir, 150 g a.s. ha). Na lokalitetu Rimski Šančevi, pri primeni istih tretmana, vilina kosica se zadržala na usevu sa oko 1%.

Infections caused by methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) due to the acquisition of resistance to current antimicrobials pose a serious challenge for therapy, and new measures to treat and prevent this infectious pathogen are of crucial importance. Plant essential oils (EOs) and their constituents are promising agents with antimicrobial properties. The aim of this study was to evaluate the antistaphylococcal effect of essential oils from Salvia officinalis using the broth-microdilution method. Essential oils of S. officinalis were isolated from the same individual, but at different life stages - young and old leaves. The effects of combinations of sub-inhibitory concentrations of oil and different antibiotics were evaluated by the checkerboard method. The results, expressed as the fractional inhibitory concentration (FIC) and index (FICI), indicate that the essential oil isolated from young leaves potentiated the inhibitory effect of antibiotics against tested MRSA strains. [Projekat Ministarstva nauke Republike Srbije, br. 173021]

Field experiments were conducted in 2008 and 2009 at the Experimental Field Institute Padinska Skela PKB Agroekonomik, near Belgrade, to quantify effects of nicosulfuron on plant traits (vegetative production and fecundity) of Xanthium strumarium. Plants of X. strumarium were grown in monoculture on plots of 5 x 4.2 m. Inter-row spacing was 24 cm and the distance between the rows was 70 cm. Plants were treated with nicosulfuron when they developed two pairs of leaves. The applied rates of nicosulfuron were 20, 40 and 80 g a.i. ha(-1) and one control treatment (without herbicide application) was included. Vegetative parameters (height, fresh weight, leaf area and leaf area index (LAI)) were recorded just before herbicide application and four times after the herbicide treatment. Measurements were made at intervals of about two weeks. At maturity, fecundity of weeds (bur weight plant(-1) and bur number plant(-1)) was measured. In both years, the application of nicosulfuron caused less growth (height, fresh weight and LAI) of X. strumarium in comparison with the control. All rates of nicosulfuron reduced vegetative parameters, which decreased as rates of nicosulfuron increased. On the other hand, effects of nicosulfuron on bur production were not equivalent to its effects on vegetative parameters. Only the highest rate of nicosulfuron reduced bur production significantly.

Microbial biofilms have been implicated in the pathogenesis of chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyposis (CRSwNP). Intranasal application of corticosteroids and saline is a reliable option for their management. The aim of our study was to evaluate in vitro antibiofilm effects of corticosteroids and isotonic and hypertonic nasal saline in CRSwNP patients. The sinus mucosal specimens were harvested from the ethmoid cavity of 48 patients with CRSwNP and further subjected to hematoxylin-eosin staining and microbiology analysis. The biofilm-forming capacity of isolated bacterial strains was detected by microtiter-plate method and the effects of therapeutic doses of mometasone, fluticasone, isotonic and hypertonic saline on biofilm production were investigated. Bacterial strains were isolated in 42 (87.5%) patients: one organism in 34 (80.9%) and two organisms in 8 (19.1%). Staphylococcus epidermidis (34%) and Staphylococcus aureus (28%) were the most prevalent bacteria in biofilms of CRSwNP patients. Corticosteroids and saline solutions significantly reduced biofilm formation (p lt 0.01 and p lt 0.05, respectively) with better efficacy of fluticasone and isotonic nasal saline. Treatment with fluticasone, mometasone, isotonic and hypertonic nasal saline completely prevented biofilm production in 66, 50, 84 and 38% of bacterial strains, respectively. The most significant density reduction was observed in biofilm formed by Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Streptococcus pneumoniae compared to other bacterial species (p lt 0.01, p lt 0.05, p lt 0.05, respectively). The antibiofilm effects of corticosteroids and saline solutions also greatly depended on bacterial biomass (p lt 0.05), with the most significant effect on high compared to small amount of formed biofilm. The topical steroids and nasal saline are shown to be potent antibiofilm agents in patients with CRSwNP. The effects of tested compounds depend on bacterial species and volume of formed biofilm.

The effect of the parasitic flowering plant known as field dodder (Cuscuta campestris Yunck.) on morphological and fluorescence parameters of infested giant ragweed (Ambrosia trifida L.) plants was examined under controlled conditions. The parameters of chlorophyll fluorescence (Fo, Fv/Fm, ΦPSII, Fv, Fm, ETR and IF) were measured on infested (I) and non-infested (N) A. trifida plants over a period of seven days, beginning with the day of infestation. Morphological parameters (plant height, dry and fresh weight) were measured on the last day of fluorescence measurements. C. campestris was found to affect the height, fresh and dry weight of the infested A. trifida plants, causing significant reduction in plant height and dry weight. Field dodder also affected several parameters of chlorophyll fluorescence (Fo, Fv/Fm, ΦPSII and Fv) in infested A. trifida plants. Ispitivan je uticaj parazitske cvetnice viline kosice (Cuscuta campestris Yunck.) na morfološke i parametre fluorescencije kod zaraženih biljaka ambrozije trolisne (Ambrosia trifida L.) u kontrolisanim uslovima. Parametri fluorescencije (Fo, Fv/Fm, ΦPSII, Fv, Fm, ETR i IF) kod zaraženih (Z) i nezaraženih (N) biljaka A. trifida su mereni sedam dana, počev od prvog dana nakon zaražavanja. Morfološki parametri (visina biljaka, suva i sveža masa biljaka) su mereni poslednjeg dana merenja fluorescencije. C. campestris je uticala na visinu, svežu i suvu masu zaraženih biljaka A. trifida, pri čemu je dovela do značajne redukcije visine i suve mase biljaka. Takođe, vilina kosica je uticala na veći broj parametara fluorescencije hlorofila (Fo, Fv/Fm, ΦPSII i Fv) kod zaraženih biljaka A. trifida.

To determine the manganese requirement necessary for optimal development of lesser centaury [Centaurium pulchellum (Sw.) Druce] in vitro, we investigated the effect of exogenously applied Mn on different developmental processes such as growth, flowering, fruiting, and seed germination. The application of Mn had no effect on stem length, except at the highest concentration of 10-2 M, which was inhibitory. In addition, C. pulchellum plants were capable of in vitro flowering and fruiting even on media without added Mn. However, Mn content in the media affected seed dimensions, since both length and width of the seeds increased with increasing Mn concentration. Moreover, both excess and absence of Mn in the media caused appearance of necrotic plants. Exogenously applied Mn had no effect on seed germination percentage, except at concentrations greater than 3x10-3 M.

The anatomy of stems and leaves of two populations of the weed species Amaranthus retroflexus L. (red-root amaranth) (pop. AMARE1 having green stems covered in sparse hairs and pop. AMARE2 with green but notably dense stem hairs) was analysed in order better to understand the uptake and translocation of herbicides that could be indicative of the species' evolving resistance to herbicides. Samples of the two populations (AMARE1 and AMARE2) were collected from arable land of the Institute of Maize Research at Zemun Polje in 2006. Sampling was performed at the stage of full vegetative growth of plants. Permanent microscoping preparations were made to measure and analyze elements of the anatomy of stems (stem epidermis, cortex, collenchyma, central cylinder and diameter) and leaves (leaf epidermis upper surface and underside, mesophyll, leaf thickness and bundle sheath thickness). Both analysed populations of A. retroflexus, morphologically characterized by different density of stem hairiness, were found to have a typical structure of herbaceous dicots. The stem had three distinctive zones: epidermis, cortex and central cylinder. Amaranth leaves have dorsoventral structure, i.e. their upper surface and underside can be differentiated. The results indicated high and very high significance of differences found in stem anatomy between the two analysed populations, while leaf anatomy was not found to display significant differences other than in mesophyll thickness. U ovom radu je proučavana anatomska građa stabla i lista dve populacije korovske vrste Amaranthus retroflexus L. (štir) (pop. AMARE1 sa zelenim stablom prepokrivenim retkim dlakama, i pop. AMARE2 takođe sa zelenim ali izrazito maljavim stablom) u cilju boljeg razumevanja usvajanja i translokacije herbicida što može biti u vezi sa odgovorima na razvoj rezistetnosti ove vrste na herbicide. Za ispitivanje anatomske građe stabla i lista ove dve populacije (AMARE1 i AMARE2) uzorci su sakupljeni sa proizvodnih površina Instituta za kukuruz Zemun Polje tokom 2006. godine. Uzorkovanje materijala je rađeno u fazi punog vegetativnog porasta biljaka. Pravljeni su trajni mikroskopski preparati na kojima su mereni i analizirani elementi anatomske građe stabla (epidermis stabla, primarna kora stabla, kolenhim, centralni cilindar i prečnik stabla) i anatomske građe lista (epidermis lica i naličja lista, mezofil, debljina lista i debljina ćelija omotača provodnog snopića). Kod obe analizirane populacije A. retroflexus, koje su se morfološki razlikovale po maljavosti (AMARE1 pop. je zelenog stabla prepokrivenog retkim dlakama, a AMARE2 pop. je takođe zelenog stabla sa izraženom maljavošću), konstatovano je da imaju tipičnu građu zeljastih dikotila. Dakle, stablo ima jasno izdiferencirane tri zone: epidermis stabla, primarnu koru i centralni cilindar. List štira je dorzoventralne građe, što znači da se razlikuje epidermis lica i naličje lista. Dobijeni rezultati ukazuju da se građa stabla dve ispitivane populacije štira statistički značajno ili veoma značajano razlikuje u odnosu na sve analizirane parametre, dok na nivou anatomske građe lista nisu konstatovane značajne razlike, sem u debljini mezofila.

The effect of different densities of Italian ryegrass (Lolium italicum L.: G1- 5 kg/ha seeds, 60 cm row spacing; G2- 5 kg/ha seeds, 20 cm row spacing; G3- 20 kg/ha seeds, 60 cm row spacing, and G4- 20 kg/ha seeds, 20 cm row spacing) and different rates of applied nitrogen fertilizer (N1- 0 kg N/ha; N2 - 50 kg N/ha; N3- 100 kg N/ha and N4-150 kg N/ha) on SPAD values under interaction between the crop and cleavers (Galium aparine L) was investigated. A tri-factorial trial (4 sowing rates x 4 fertilization rates x 4 sampling times) with three replications was set up in a random block design with plot size 10 m2 on a anthropogenious soil in the Šabac area in 2005/2006. SPAD was measured at 30 random plants of L. italicum and G. aparine on each plot four times during vegetation (V1- tillering; V2 - stem extension; V3- flagleaf, and V4-earing), and nitrogen content in plants was then computed. Relative nitrogen content in plant material was used as a parameter of competitive interaction between the cultivated and weed species. Total nitrogen in plant material was also analyzed. The data acquired showed that SPAD values were normally higher in L. italicum than in G. aparine under almost all crop densities and nitrogen rates applied, and maximum values were recorded in the third growing stage (flagleaf) at G3 density and treatment rate of 100 kg N/ha. The highest biomass yield (6 033.0 kg/ha) and seed yield (1 129.0 kg/ha) of Italian ryegrass were achieved in the same variants, i.e. at crop density of 5 kg/ha seeds, 60 cm row spacing and 100 kg N/ha fertilizer, and the crop developed in competition with the weed species G. aparine at an average population density of 15-25 plants/m2. Ispitivan je uticaj različitih gustina setve italijanskog ljulja (Lolium italicum L.: G1- 5 kg ha-1 semena, 60 cm međuredno rastojanje; G2- 5 kg/ha semena, 20 cm međuredno rastojanje; G3- 20 kg/ha semena, 60 cm međuredno rastojanje i G4-20 kg/ha semena, 20 cm međuredno rastojanje i različitih doza azotnog đubriva (N1- 0 kg N/ha; N2- 50 kg N/ha; N3- 100 kg N/ha i N4- 150 kg N/ha) na SPAD vrednosti pri interakciji useva i lepljive broć (Galium aparine L). Trofaktorijalni ogled (4 norme setve x 4 nivoa đubrenja x 4 vremena uzorkovanja) u tri ponavljanja je zasnovan po slučajnom blok sistemu sa elementarnom parcelom veličine 10 m2 tokom 2005/2006. godine na području Šapca na antropogeniziranom zemljištu. Četiri puta tokom vegetacione sezone (V1- faza bokorenja; V2- faza vlatanja; V3- faza zastavičara i V4- faza klasanja) merena je SPAD vrednost na 30 nasumično odabranih biljaka L. italicum i G. aparine na svakoj parceli, a potom je indirektno računat relativni sadržaj azota u biljkama. Vrednosti relativnog sadržaja azota u biljnom materijalu je korišćen kao parametar kompetitivne interakcije između gajene i korovske vrste. Takođe, rađena je analiza sadržaja ukupnog azota u biljnom materijalu. Dobijeni rezultati su pokazali da je SPAD vrednost gotovo pri svim gustinama setve useva i primenjenim dozama azota bila redovno veća kod L. italicum u odnosu na G. aparine, s tim što su maksimumi izmereni u trećem vremenu (faza zastavičara) pri gustini G3 i dozi od 100 kg N/ha. Pri istim varijantama, tj. gustini useva od 5 kg/ha semena i 60 cm međuredno rastojanje i dozi đubriva od 100 kg N/ha je postignut i najveći biološki prinos (6 033.0 kg/ha) i prinos semena (1 129.0 kg/ha) italijanskog ljulja koji se razvijao u kompeticiji sa korovskom vrstom G. aparine pri gustini populacije od 15 do 25 biljaka/m2 u proseku.

BACKGROUND: A Chenopodium album L. biotype surviving in atrazine-treated Serbian corn fields (VC) was compared against atrazine-susceptible (S) and atrazine-resistant (R) standards. RESULTS: Atrazine (2 kg ha(-1)) killed S and VC shoot biomass 15 days after treatment (DAT), but R was only suppressed by 42% and survived 8 kg ha(-1). Atrazine at 2 kg ha(-1) only inhibited VC height by 60% as against 100 and 0% for S and R respectively. Chlorophyll fluorescence (Fv/Fm) and transpiration were insensitive to atrazine in R, but were inhibited by 90 and 100% in S and by 50 and 60% in VC respectively. Decline of Fv/Fm after 2 kg ha(-1) atrazine was stabilized at 3 DAT for the VC biotype. CONCLUSION: A toxicity mitigation mechanism could have facilitated VC survival in an atrazine-treated field. Further knowledge on this mechanism is needed to establish if surviving VC plants are indicators of atrazine resistance evolution in these Serbian corn fields. Variables related to foliar function provided better detection of weed mechanisms to survive herbicide action than the usual shoot biomass measurements. (c) 2007 Society of Chemical Industry.

Peppermint (Mentha x piperita) is a perennial, medicinal and aromatic, cultivated plant species belonging to Lamiaceae family. In this study, survey of 9 organic mulches (straw, chopped pieces of the pine bark, sawdust of acacia, cardboard, dry pine needles, chopped maize sedge, chopped pieces of the acacia bark, herbal composts 1 and 2), 1 biodegradable (black mulch film) and 4 plastic mulch films (silver-brown, perforated black, black, black 'agrotextil') were tested in Mentha x piperita experimental cultivation, located in Serbia. Three different models were used for application of mulches and films in the early spring of 2015. The plots were separated on two parts, one with hand weeding and the other one without weeding. Identical rows with peppermint were used as a double control, with no use of mulches/films; one control was kept free of weeds (C1 - weeds were manually removed), while the second one was kept intact (C2 - no weeds removal). Comparing to control treatment silver-brown polyethylene film (sPE), black agrotextil film (BA) and two organic mulches (sawdust of acacia and pine needles), showed very good effects on peppermint yield and reduction of weed biomass. Therefore, we selected them for further investigation. The aim of this study was to evaluate and select the best application models of organic mulches and mulch films for further investigation which will lead to the achievement of the highest yield of good quality peppermint herbal drug. Pitoma nana (Mentha x piperita) je višegodišnja lekovita i aromatična biljka, koja pripada familiji Lamiaceae (usnatice). U ovom istraživanju je ispitivano 9 organskih malčeva (slama, usitnjena kora bora, bagremova piljevina, karton, suve iglice bora, usitnjena kukuruzovina, usitnjena kora bagrema, kompost od ostataka iz proizvodnje lekovitog bilja 1 i 2), biorazgradiva crna malč folija i 4 malč folije (srebrno-braon, perforirana crna, crna, crna 'agrotekstil') u eksperimentalnom ogledu pitome nane koji je postavljen na lokalitetu u Pančevu, u Srbiji. U proleće 2015. godine korišćene su tri različite metode za postavljanje malča. Ogled je podeljen na dva dela, jedan koji je ručno plevljen i drugi gde korovi nisu uklanjani. U ogled su uključene i dve kontrole bez postavke malča, s tim što su u jednoj kontroli korovi uklanjani redovno (C1), dok su se u drugoj korovi slobodno razvijali i rasli zajedno sa nanom (C2). U poređenju sa kontrolama, pozitivan efekat na prinos pitome nane, kao i na redukciju biomase korova pokazali su sledeći tretmani: srebrno-braon folija (sPE), crni 'agrotekstil' (BA) i dva organska malča (bagremova piljevina i iglice bora). Navedeni mačevi su uključeni u dalja istraživanja. Cilj ovog istraživanja bio je procena i odabir najboljeg modela primene organskog malča kao i malč folija za dalja istraživanja, koja će garantovati visok prinos gajene nane odličnog kvaliteta.

Background Coagulase negative staphylococci (CoNS) and Listeria monocytogenes have important roles in pathogenesis of various genital tract infections and fatal foetomaternal infections, respectively. The aim of our study was to investigate the inhibitory effects of two novel bacteriocins on biofilms of CoNS and L. monocytogenes genital isolates. Methods The effects of licheniocin 50.2 from Bacillus licheniformis VPS50.2 and crude extract of bacteriocins produced by Lactococcus lactis subsp. lactis biovar. diacetylactis BGBU1-4 (BGBU1-4 crude extract) were evaluated on biofilm formation and formed biofilms of eight CoNS (four S. epidermidis, two S. hominis, one S. lugdunensis and one S. haemolyticus) and 12 L. monocytogenes genital isolates. Results Licheniocin 50.2 and BGBU1-4 crude extract inhibited the growth of both CoNS and L. monocytogenes isolates, with MIC values in the range between 200–400 AU/ml for licheniocin 50.2 and 400–3200 AU/ml for BGBU1-4 crude extract. Subinhibitory concentrations (1/2 × and 1/4 × MIC) of licheniocin 50.2 inhibited biofilm formation by all CoNS isolates (p < 0.05, respectively), while BGBU1-4 crude extract inhibited biofilm formation by all L. monocytogenes isolates (p < 0.01 and p < 0.05, respectively). Both bacteriocins in concentrations of 100 AU/mL and 200 AU/mL reduced the amount of 24 h old CoNS and L. monocytogenes biofilms (p < 0.05, p < 0.01, p < 0.001). Conclusions This study suggests that novel bacteriocins have potential to be used for genital application, to prevent biofilm formation and/or to eradicate formed biofilms, and consequently reduce genital and neonatal infections by CoNS and L. monocytogenes.

Italian ryegrass (Lolium italicum L. cv. Tetraflorum) seed production is an important industrial activity in Serbia. Cleavers (Galium aparine L.) interferes in Italian ryegrass seed production as well as in many other crops. The effect of stand density of Italian ryegrass on its competitive interaction with cleavers was investigated in western Serbia in the 2005-2006 and 2006-2007 cropping seasons. The established density treatments of Italian ryegrass were 5 kg ha-1 seeding rate with 60 cm row spacing (SD1), 5 kg ha-1 with 20 cm (SD2), 20 kg ha-1 with 60 cm (SD3), and 20 kg ha-1 with 20 cm (SD4). The interaction between Italian ryegrass and cleavers was evaluated by SPAD reading, relative nitrogen content (RNC) in the leaf, total nitrogen content (TNC) in the leaf, and seed yield. The rank order of the competitive ability of Italian ryegrass was SD4 > SD3 > SD2 > SD1 under optimal weather conditions for crop development. Under climatic stress conditions, however, neither effect of ryegrass densities nor cleavers was pronounced on competitive ability of ryegrass with different stands.

Biofilm formation and adherence of bacteria to host tissue are one of the most important virulence factors of methicillin-resistant strains of Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). The number of resistant strains is seriously increasing during the past years and bacteria have become resistant, not only to methicillin, but also to other commonly used antistaphylococcal antibiotics. There is a great need for discovering a novel antimicrobial agent for the treatment of staphylococcal infections. One of the most promising groups of compounds appears to be chalcones. In present study we evaluated the in vitro effect of three newly synthesized chalcones: 1,3- Bis-(2-hydroxy-phenyl)-propenone, 3-(3-Hydroxy-phenyl)-1-(2-hydroxy-phenyl)-propenone and 3-(4-Hydroxy-phenyl)-1-(2-hydroxy-phenyl)-propenone on glycocalyx production, biofilm formation and adherence to human fibronectin of clinical isolates and laboratory control strain of MRSA (ATCC 43300). Subinhibitory concentrations of the tested compounds reduced the production of glycocalyx, biofilm formation and adherence to human fibronectin of all MRSA strains. Inhibition of biofilm formation was dose dependent and the most effective was 1,3- Bis-(2-hydroxy-phenyl)-propenone. In our study we demonstrated that three newly-synthesized chalcones exhibited significant effect on adherence and biofilm formation of MRSA strains. Chalcones may be considered as promising new antimicrobial agents that can be used for prevention of staphylococcal infections or as adjunct to antibiotics in conventional therapy.

The response of the imazamox resistant and susceptible sunflower hybrids Rimi and S to imazamox and of tribenuron-methyl resistant and susceptible hybrids Rsu and S to tribenuron-methyl was investigated both in a whole-plant bioassay and in field experiments. Plants were treated post-emergence with imazamox/tribenuron-methyl at four true leaves (grown in pots) and at four–six true leaves (grown in field). Visual injury estimation and vegetative parameters (plant height, fresh weight, dry weight, leaf area) were recorded. ALS (acetolactate synthase) enzyme activity in different herbicide concentrations was determined in vitro . Pronounced differences were noted between Rimi and S hybrids and between Rsu and S hybrids in the vegetative parameters and ALS activity. Namely, Rimi hybrid was 9–64-fold more resistant than S for vegetative parameters and about 3000-fold for ALS activity, while Rsu hybrid was 14–56-fold more resistant than S for vegetative parameters, and about 2600-fold for ALS activity.

Absorption, translocation and metabolism are processes affecting the efficacy of sulfonylurea herbicides. These processes contribute significantly to selectivity but are also known to effect the development of plant resistance to this group of herbicides. Sulfonylureas may be absorbed by both ground and above ground plant parts. The level of absorption depends on numerous factors such as: development stage of the plant, ambient temperature, soil humidity, fertilizers added to herbicides, application in combination with other herbicides, sufactants, plant cultivars, mode of herbicide application, various additives. Having been absorbed, the herbicide moves to the place of action whereby the direction of translocation depends on the mode of absorption. Foliary absorbed sulfonylureas are primarily basipetally translocated. Acropetal translocation is correlated to root absorption. In addition, some herbicides belonging to this group are translocated in both directions. The level and rate of translocation depend on: soil humidity, antagonistic effect of other herbicides (in case of application of herbicide combinations), additives, fertilizers etc. Sulfonylureas in plants are subjected to different metabolic changes which mostly contribute to the inactivation. These transformations are considered to be catalyzed by the cytochrom P-450 monooxigenase enzymic system. Eventually, this process is also known to be affected by numerous factors such as: temperature, soil humidity, plant cultivars, mixtures with other pesticides etc. Apsorpcija, translokacija i metabolizam su procesi od kojih zavisi efikasnost sulfonilurea herbicida, s tim što navedeni procesi imaju značajnu ulogu u ispoljavanju njihove selektivnosti. Isti procesi mogu da utiču na razvoj rezistentnosti biljaka na navedenu grupu herbicida. Sulfoniluree mogu da se apsorbuju podzemnim i nadzemnim biljnim delovima, a nivo apsorpcije zavisi od većeg broja faktora, kao što su: faza razvoja u kojoj se biljka nalazi temperatura vazduha, vlažnost zemljišta, dodatak đubriva herbicidima primena u kombinaciji sa drugim herbicidima, surfaktanti, biljna vrsta ili sorta, način primene herbicida, razni aditivi. Nakon usvajanja herbicid se premešta da bi dospeo do mesta delovanja, pri čemu smer translokacije zavisi od načina apsorpcije. Folijarno apsorbovane sulfoniluree se, uglavnom translociraju bazipetalno, a akropetalna translokacija je u korelaciji sa apsorpcijom preko korena. Osim toga, neki herbicidi iz ove grupe se translociraju u oba smera. Nivo i brzina translokacije zavise od: vlažnosti zemljišta, antagonističkog dejstva drugih herbicida (u slučaju primene herbicidnih kombinacija), aditiva, đubriva i dr. Sulfoniluree u biljci podležu različitim metaboličkim promenama, koje uglavnom dovode do njihove inaktivacije. Smatra se da te transformacije katališe enzimski sistem citohrom P-450 monooksigenaza. Na kraju, i na ovaj proces utiče nekoliko faktora: temperatura, vlažnost zemljišta, biljna vrsta, mešavine sa drugim pesticidima i drugo.