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Modern trends operating from the environment require a different shaping of the organizational structure of the company. Accordingly, instead of traditional forms, more flexible organizational structures appear that are based on the characteristics of organic design. The emphasis is primarily on accepting change, decentralization of decision-making, a wider range of control, teamwork, adequate organizational culture, good interpersonal relationships, continuous learning and innovation development. Technological progress, scientific achievements, and thus the even greater need for continuous learning and acquiring new knowledge, as important characteristics of the modern business environment, have had the greatest impact on shaping the organizational structure of the company. The fact that information technology and knowledge are the basis of new organizational forms speaks in favor of that. Globalization has also played a role in creating the conditions for changing the organizational structure of companies, as well as the time of the COVID 19 pandemic. Organisations have been forced to do business differently and business processes have had to change rapidly in order for organisations to survive. The aim of this work is to indicate the fundamental trends that operate from the business environment and condition the need for the application of more flexible organizational forms. In addition, the aim of the paper is to point out the characteristics of organizational models that have emerged under the influence of these trends.

Economic diplomacy as such includes targeted activities carried out by representatives of one country with representatives of another country, which in their core aim to increase foreign investments, greater volume of exports or imports, as well as strengthening the positions of domestic companies in other countries. In addition to the aforementioned activities, economic diplomacy also includes activities that a country undertakes by participating in international economic organizations as well as joining them. This discipline represents the future and the direction of diplomacy of every modern state that wants to survive in today's market conditions, which are unstable, changing and a decisive factor for every participant. The main goal, focus and function of economic diplomacy must be the protection of national economic interests in every international relationship, whatever level it may be. In this paper, economic diplomacy as a discipline will be dealt with, a short theoretical review will be given, as well as the author's perspectives and views on the progress of the Republic of Serbia and the countries of the region in this field.

An economic analysis of field crop (wheat, corn, triticale and sunflower) production on a family farm, representing a case-study average farm, during one production year involved calculation of production costs, gross margin, economic efficiency and rate of profitability. Calculations showed that the highest amount of gross margin was achieved with corn, followed by sunflower, triticale and wheat. The calculated values of the coefficient of efficiency were in the respective order: 3.59 for corn, 2.16 for sunflower, 1.89 for triticale and 1.79 for wheat. The share of variable costs was also indicated, with special emphasis on high costs of mineral fertilizers and machinery.

In this work, the essential oils (EOs) obtained by hydrodistillation from the aerial parts of five Artemisia species: A. alba Turra, A. pontica L., A. scoparia Waldst. & Kitam., A. vulgaris L., originating from Serbia and A. umbelliformis Lam. subsp. eriantha (Ten.) Vallès-Xirau & Oliva Brañas, originating from Montenegro were analyzed by gas chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry (GC/MS). In total, 91 compounds were detected, and 78 were identified. Even though a high number of compounds were detected, each sample had only 18 to 35, attesting to a great diversity of compounds within these taxa. Depending on the species and the locality (geographical origin), the EO was dominated by either monoterpenes or sesquiterpenes, with artemisia ketone, 1,8-cineole (eucalyptol), fragranol, α-thujone, β-thujone and myrcene being the dominant compounds. The obtained results were coupled with extensive literature data and used in multivariate chemometric approach to assess the chemophenetic significance of the EO.

The efficiency of primary agricultural production is under constant analysis relative to energy, economy and ecology. Notwithstanding technological innovations in agricultural production, engineers and researchers are still seeking to create a production system that would render the primary agricultural production more energy efficient and ecologically sustainable. The purpose of this paper is to examine the energy consumption and efficiency of crop production with an emphasis on the importance of mineral fertilizers and their influence on the overall energy consumption. The results obtained indicate that mineral fertilizers claim a share of the total energy consumption in crop production ranging from 40.53 % in sunflowers to 55.19 % in maize. A statistically significant correlation was found between the energy inputs for fertilizers and crop yields. The regression analysis performed showed a positive correlation between the energy inputs for fertilizers and yields in all the crops considered, with the exception of wheat.

Under the influence of different factors, the dynamics of the size of the operating profit margin of food trading companies in Serbia varies from comparable global food retailers in various countries. Based on the obtained results of empirical research, we can also conclude that the operating profit margin of the leading food trading companies in Serbia is lower than the in analyzed comparable food retail trade companies from the developed market economies. It points to the conclusion that it is necessary to efficiently manage revenues, costs, profit, assets, and financial structure in order to improve the performance of food trading companies in Serbia in the future. In order to increase the operating profit margin, as a measure of long-term performance, it is necessary to manage the financial structure of the food trading companies in Serbia as effectively as possible. The main objective of this paper is to apply dynamics of size and structure of operating margin of global retailers in Serbia by applying accounting methodology based on data from annual financial statements. It is an increasingly significant non-standard indicator of their performance. Therefore, this indicator will receive increasing attention in the future.

The first part of this paper discusses the rapid development of information technologies that have helped market globalization, competition, connectivity, faster flow of information, the creation of brand new products, which has led to a change in everyday life in which managers have to make different strategic, tactical and operational decisions. Also, the term management of information system is explained as an integral part of the process of planning, organizing and controlling the work in the conditions of the decision-making process, as a creative finalization of the management process. The special part deals with the organization and planning of information system management. It should be borne in mind that information, as a set of data, is always related to some system and processes, which implies that it can be any kind of system, from a technical device, through an organizational system, to a biological system. Therefore, the automation of information processing, as an IT object, is a general term and applies to all areas of human activity. In the final part we are talking about determining the price of information system management as a product and forecasting the budget for this function.

The paper presents micromorphology of the cypselae of Xeranthemum cylindraceum as revealed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and their fatty acid composition as determined on a gas chromatograph coupled with a flame ionisation detector (GC-FID). The cypselae are densely hairy, straight, ribbed, narrowly obconical to obovoid. Micromorphological features are as follows: striate-rugose surface; adaxial detachment area; asymmetrical carpopodium; presence of biseriate, nonglandular, shortly forked twin hairs; and absence of a pericarp crown. The pappus is paleaceous, homomorphic, uniseriate, persistent, and with several wide, scarious, subulate, and apically pinnulate bristles of variable length. Out of 12 fatty acids detected, nine (88.57%) are identified, ranging from palmitoleic (C16:1) to behenic (C22:0) acids. Oleic acid is dominant (55.24%). Unsaturated fatty acids are predominant in the oil (75.02%). The composition of fatty acids in cypselae of the given species is here reported for the first time. The taxonomic value of the analysed characters is briefly discussed

The objective of this paper was to assess the antiradical effectiveness of propolis extract (PE) based on 2.2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl radical (DPPH•) bleaching assay kinetic profile. The kinetic profile of scavenging DPPH• for PE exhibited one kinetic period characterized by one kinetic constant. The second-order rate constant (k2) for the oxidation of PE by DPPH•, determined for the first time in this study, was 0.17 dm3g−1s−1. The obtained k2 value was compared to that of synthetic antioxidants and natural extracts used in the food industry. Kinetic analysis of PE antiradical effectiveness showed that the k2 was within the range values for natural colorants of fruit extracts and should be considered as a fast acting natural antioxidant source. The k2 parameter indicates the extent of oxidation inhibition that is based on all of the kinetic profiles of DPPH bleaching rather than single point measurements. For this reason, the kinetic analysis should become a necessary step for more precise antioxidative characterization of propolis.

Mineral fertilizers have a pivotal role in contemporary agricultural production, especially when seeking to exploit the full biological potential of crops. This paper presents the results of a three-year experiment on the distribution uniformity of different mineral fertilizer application systems. One of the objectives in this study was to define the physical and mechanical properties of four different types of mineral fertilizers and examine their changes during storage, transportation and application. A total of four fertilizers were taken into account: UREA, CAN, MAP and NP. The main physical properties, i.e. particle size, particle size distribution, friction coefficient, angle of repose and particle resistance, were analyzed on samples collected from the storage, the trailer (prior to application) and the field (after application). The results obtained show that fertilizers with a particle size distribution of 3.3 to 4.75 mm exhibit higher values of the angle of repose, friction and resistance. The lowest value of the angle of friction (17.53 0) was observed in the UREA fertilizer after application, whereas the highest angle of friction (24.37 0) was measured in the MAP fertilizer obtained from the storage. The values of the static repose angle varied depending on the fertilizer type and the place of sampling (storage, trailer or field). The lowest value of the static repose angle (30.34 0) was measured in the MAP fertilizer after application, whereas the highest static repose angle (36.91 0) was measured in the NP fertilizer from the storage. The NP fertilizer exhibited the highest value of the dynamic friction angle, whereas the lowest value of the dynamic friction angle was calculated for the UREA fertilizer. The NP fertilizer particles showed the highest resistance, whereas the UREA fertilizer particles were most susceptible to breakage.

We examined for the first time the leaf micromorphology, phytochemistry and biological activity of the rare and stenoendemic Amphoricarpos elegans Albov (Compositae) from Georgia. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) revealed the presence of glandular trichomes on the leaves, which appeared as glandular dots that are considered the main sites of biosynthesis and accumulation of sesquiterpene lactones. Using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy analyses, we identify and characterized 3-deoxyamphoricarpolide, a known sesquiterpene lactone for the genus Amphoricarpos Vis. Regarding chemotaxonomic significance, 3-deoxyamphoricarpolide represents a link between Balkan and Caucasian species of the genus. The antioxidative capacity of different leaf extracts, obtained using a Soxhlet extractor, was evaluated by two radical scavenging assays: DPPH (1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl) radical and the 2,2΄-azino-bis-3-ethylbenzthiazoline-6-sulphonic acid (ABTS), and ferric ion reducing antioxidant power (FRAP). The total phenolic and flavonoid contents were also determined. The highest antioxidative activity and the highest phenolic and flavonoid contents were detected in the methanol fraction, as a result of the contribution of not only phenols, but probably also lactones. The considerable antioxidative potential indicates possible applications in pharmacy and medicine. [Project of the Serbian Ministry of Education, Science and Technological Development, Grant no. 173029 and Grant no. 172053]

This paper analyzes the methods of determining the value of the shares, which are among the most used financial instruments. The company's shares are transferable in the capital market, according to the regulations of a particular state, where the price is formed according to the principles of supply and demand. The interest of the investor will depend on a number of parameters-the length of the stock owning, its affinity to the shares of renowned companies that give stable dividends, the tendency to risk with new, growing companies, and the affinities for the shares of companies that are planning serious investment ventures, etc. Despite the fact that there are certain visible value parameters, such as bookkeeping or market price, they are often insufficient to properly evaluate the value and possible profit for investors who opt for their purchase. Therefore, models for evaluating higher or lesser complexity of the discounting dividends, discounting cash flows, as well as series of relative valuation models have been developed. These valuations are important during the life of a joint stock company, during the first emission, subsequent recapitalization, as well as when making investment decisions on the secondary stock market.

The ultrasound-assisted extraction of Juglans nigra L. leaves was optimized with respect to total phenolic content (TP) of the extracts by varying the concentration of aqueous ethanol solution (E) and different solvent-to-solid ratio (S). The influence and optimum of the operating parameters (E and S) was examined using response surface methodology (RSM). The statistical criteria indicated the adequacy, reliability and precision of the developed RSM model. RSM showed that maximum extraction yield of TP 28.59 mg g-1 of draw plant was achieved at the optimal values of 50% E and 20 kg kg-1 S. Using the modelled optimized conditions, the detected relative difference between the predicted and the experimental yield was ±2.3 %. The determined TP content in the extracts varied from 12.54 to 29.26 mg GAE g-1 of dry plant indicated that J. nigra is a valuable source of phenolic substances. The extracts of J. nigra leaves obtained under optimal conditions showed good antioxidant activity (IC50 = 18.91±0.03 μg cm-3) which was determined by the scavenging effect on 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl radical. The optimization of the TP extraction process is the important step in improving techno-economics of the potential commercial preparation of J. nigra extracts, as natural source of antioxidants.

The fatty acid composition of cypselae of two endemic species from Macedonia, Centaurea galicicae and C. tomorosii, is analysed for the first time, using GC/MS (gas chromatography/mass spectrometry). In the cypselae of C. galicicae, 11 fatty acids were identified, palmitic (hexadecanoic) acid (32.5%) being the most dominant. Other fatty acids were elaidic [(E)-octadec-9-enoic] acid (13.9%), stearic (octadecanoic) acid (12.8%) and linoleic [(9Z,12Z)-9,12-octadecadienoic] acid (10.6%). Of the 11 identified fatty acids, seven were saturated fatty acids, which represented 41.5% of total fatty acids, while unsaturated fatty acids altogether constituted 58.5%. In the cypselae of C. tomorosii, five fatty acids were identified. The major fatty acid was linolelaidic [(9E,12E)-octadeca- 9,12-dienoic] acid (48.8%). The second most dominant fatty acid was oleic [(9Z)-octadec-9-enoic] acid (34.2%). Thus, unsaturated fatty acids were present with 83%. The other three fatty acids identified were saturated fatty acids, which represented 17% of total fatty acids. As a minor fatty acid, levulinic (4-oxopentanoic) acid was determined in both C. galicicae and C. tomorosii (0.3% and 3.2%, respectively). The obtained results differ from published data on dominant fatty acids in the cypselae of other species belonging to the same section as the species investigated in the present paper (section Arenariae, subgenus Acrolophus, genus Centaurea). They also, differ from published data referable to other genera belonging to the same tribe (Cardueae). The general chemotaxonomic significance of fatty acids is discussed.

Reynoutria japonica is on the IUCN list of the Worlds’100 worst invasive species, but it is also, especially its rhizome, an integral part of traditional chinese medicine. The objective of this study was to determine the amount of selected phenolic compounds in rhizome, stems, leaves and inflorescence methanol extracts of this plant, their antioxidant and anticholinesterase activity. The chemical profile of the examined extracts was obtained by a high-performance liquid chromatography. In vitro assays on DPPH, OH and NO radicals were used to estimate antioxidant potential and Ellman’s method was applied for the determination of anticholinesterase activity. Leaves and rhizome extracts were found to be rich in rosmarinic and chlorogenic acid, and selected flavonoids. Resveratrol was exclusively present in rhizome and stems extracts. All the investigated extracts expressed certain antioxidant activity, where leaves extract was the most active. However, rhizome extract was the strongest inhibitor of acetylcholinesterase. These findings indicate that there is a possibility of R. japonica exploitation for the isolation of biologically active phenolic compounds used in pharmaceutical and food industry.

Lately, fraud in the financial statements of the company are becoming more frequent. According to the legal framework of a broad concept of crime,it is not the rare case that the leadership misrepresents financial statements for maintaining investors trust, increasing the amount of salary or bonus, reducing the tax base and therefore tax liability, satisfying the demands of creditors and fulfilling the expectations of analysts. According to the legal framework of a broad concept of crime. In the context of the audit of the financial statements, not all facts which have the hallmark of fraud are significant, but the one that caused false material statements in the financial statements. Recognition of criminal activity in the financial statements is a very difficult and complex task for the auditor, because they are carefully thought and planned. In order to identify criminal activity in the financial statements audit examines indicators of crime acts, examines the integrity of management and administration, focuses on the critical areas, implements analytical procedures, meets system internal controls and the benefits of the internal audit research.

Methanol extracts of selected species of flowering plants Anthemis cotula, A. ruthenica, Centaurea dubia (Asteraceae), Ajuga genevensis, A. chamaepitys, A. reptans, Micromeria albanica, M. cristata, M. dalmatica, M. juliana, Thymus tosevii (Lamiaceae) and conifers - Abies alba, Picea omorika, Pinus heldreichii (Pinaceae) and Taxus baccata (Taxaceae), as well as diethyl ether extracts of ten species Anthemis cotula, A. ruthenica, Centaurea dubia, Ajuga genevensis, A. chamaepitys, A. reptans, Micromeria albanica, M. cristata, M. dalmatica and M. juliana from two flowering plant families (Asteraceae and Lamiaceae) were tested for general bioactivity using brine shrimp (Artemia salina) lethality test. Lethal concentration (LC50) and 95% confidence intervals were determined by computer program LdP line. Out of fifteen tested methanol extracts, three possessed cytotoxic effect. Taxus baccata methanol extract showed the highest effect (LC50 = 18.60 μg/ml), while Thymus tosevii methanol extract expressed the lowest (LC50 = 842.50 μg/ml). All other analyzed species did not express significant cytotoxicity. Also, diethyl ether extracts of all tested species did not show significant cytotoxicity. The obtained results for methanol extracts which show certain cytotoxic effect could be guide for further phytochemical and pharmacological investigations. [Project of the Serbian Ministry of Education, Science and Technological Development, Grant no. 173029]

The antimicrobial and antioxidative activities of diethyl ether, 80% methanol and 50% acetone extracts of the leaves of three Amphoricarpos taxa (Asteraceae; A. neumayerianus, A. autariatus ssp. autariatus and A. autariatus ssp. bertisceus) from the Balkan Peninsula were investigated. The antimicrobial activity was determined by the broth microdilution assay against eight bacterial and eight fungal species. The in vitro antioxidative activity was assessed by the DPPH assay. The total phenolic and flavonoid contents were also determined. The most sensitive bacterial species were Bacillus cereus and Staphylococcus aureus. The best antibacterial potential was obtained for the methanol extract of A. neumayerianus, while the diethyl ether extract of this species showed the lowest effect. In general, the tested extracts showed higher activity than the commercial antibiotics streptomycin and ampicillin. Also, all micromycetes were sensitive to the tested extracts. The most sensitive was Trichoderma viride. The highest and lowest antifungal effect was determined in A. a. ssp. autariatus for the diethyl ether and acetone extracts, respectively. The highest total phenolic and flavonoid contents were determined in the methanol extract of A. a. autariatus. The best antioxidative activity was demonstrated by the methanol extract of A. a. ssp. autariatus as comparing to matching extracts from the other two taxa.

Accounting frauds, malfeasance, and financial crime are becoming a growingly serious problem. Incorrect financial reports show a false picture of income and financial position of a company. Decisions made by investors and other beneficiaries of financial reports based on false financial information cause immense damage not just to the users of information, but general public as well. Therefore, there is a clear interest of the whole financial public sector that the information presented in financial reports genuinely represents the financial position of a company. Numerous financial frauds from the past and the beginning of this century have seriously disturbed trust of a large number of users of financial information contained in financial reports. In accounting there have always been frauds followed by financial collapses, and lately there have been more frequent frauds and with more serious consequences for us all. Research results on financial frauds show that they can be different, depending on the region, fraud pattern, characteristics of perpetrators and victims who suffer the damage, but the essence remains very similar. The biggest frauds by users of financial reports and investors have been performed by presenting false, i.e. forged financial reports.

In today's economy, which is burdened by problems such as non-productive economy, high unemployment rates, constant inflationary pressures, great attention is paid to the interaction of monetary and fiscal policies in order to achieve macroeconomic stability. There is no universal model of economic policy even in countries around the world, nor in the Serbian economy, and policy makers are looking for the optimal design of monetary and fiscal strategies and their synchronization with other non-negligible specific economic policy objectives (in terms of balance of payments, objectives related to foreign currency course, the distribution of income), implemented stage of market reforms of the nineties, and then phase of reforms in the first decade of the 21st century. How good coordination of monetary and fiscal measures can be no qualitative basis, or as it is not possible to reconstruct and degrade previous economic structure, and that there is no definition of the new strategy, and continued the process of reforming and in the period from the time of deepening global financial crisis in 2008 . The Republic of Serbia, a country whose economy in the long process of reforming, seeks better use of comparative advantages, encouraging production and employment, adequate planning and allocation of available resources of its own and charge, absorption of new technologies, intensifying exports, encouraging investment, and with a constant potential danger which increase the vulnerability of small economies. The solid foundations of macroeconomic stability and discipline must be in production, proper allocation of resources, which will run the economy, and then increase the employment rate, and therefore national income. of crucial importance of good projections of macroeconomic aggregates, because of them depend on public revenue and public expenditure.

The olive tree is one of the most important agricultural plants, affected by several pests and diseases that cause a severe decline in health status leading to crop losses. Olive leaf spot disease caused by the fungus Venturia oleaginea can result in complete tree defoliation and consequently lower yield. The aim of the study was to obtain new knowledge related to plant-pathogen interaction, reveal mechanisms of plant defense against the pathogen, and characterize fungal phyllosphere communities on infected and symptomless leaves that could contribute to the development of new plant breeding strategies and identification of novel biocontrol agents. The highly susceptible olive variety "Istrska Belica"' was selected for a detailed evaluation. Microscopy analyses led to the observation of raphides in the mesophyll and parenchyma cells of infected leaves and gave new insight into the complex V. oleaginea pathogenesis. Culturable and total phyllosphere mycobiota, obtained via metabarcoding approach, highlighted Didymella, Aureobasidium, Cladosporium, and Alternaria species as overlapping between infected and symptomless leaves. Only Venturia and Erythrobasidium in infected and Cladosporium in symptomless samples with higher abundance showed statistically significant differences. Based on the ecological role of identified taxa, it can be suggested that Cladosporium species might have potential antagonistic effects on V. oleaginea., (© 2022. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Science+Business Media, LLC, part of Springer Nature.)

Background: Starting from the idea that unexplored areas may yield new and different ethnobotanical information, we performed a survey of traditional uses of plants in two neighboring districts situated in east Serbia (Bor and Aleksinac), both lacking in previous ethnobotanical reports, but characterized by an interesting history and culture, together with some specific features. In this study, we hypothesized that such small and specific areas could be of high ethnobotanical importance., Methods: Semi-structured interviews were used with 155 informants. Relative cultural importance (RCI) indices, such as the frequency of citation (FC), relative frequency of citation (RFC), relative importance index (RI), informant consensus factor (ICF-FIC), use value (UV), fidelity level (FL) and Jaccard index (JI), were calculated, and principal coordinate analysis (PCoA) was performed., Results: In this study, 2333 use-reports and 114 plants were recorded. Of the 101 medical herbs, 33 are included in the European Pharmacopoeia Edition 8.0. The most frequently used mode of preparation was as an infusion (50.0%), while leaf (44.7%) was the most used plant part. The highest FC and RFC values were recorded for Hypericum perforatum L. (13.1 and 0.2, respectively), while the highest RI was documented for Urtica dioica L. (1.0). ICF and FL indices showed important differences among selected groups of informants. The PCoA showed three homogeneous plant groups. Plants were mostly used for the treatment of digestive (49.1%), circulatory (41.2%) and respiratory system disorders (35.1%). Thirty-seven (32.5%) herbs were used for human nutrition, 14 (12.3%) in veterinary medicine, 17 (14.9%) in rituals and ethnoculture, while 24 (21.0%) for miscellaneous purposes. The highest degree of similarity was determined with studies conducted in close proximity. Four species are new to Balkan ethnobotany. New uses for some well-known plants are highlighted., Conclusion: The study indicated that small and specific areas in the Balkans may be an important reservoir of ethnobotanical knowledge., (© 2022. The Author(s).)

The gait assessment is instrumental for evaluating the efficiency of rehabilitation of persons with a motor impairment of the lower extremities. The protocol for quantifying the gait performance needs to be simple and easy to implement; therefore, a wearable system and user-friendly computer program are preferable. We used the Gait Master (instrumented insoles) with the industrial quality ground reaction forces (GRF) sensors and 6D inertial measurement units (IMU). WiFi transmitted 10 signals from the GRF sensors and 12 signals from the accelerometers and gyroscopes to the host computer. The clinician was following in real-time the acquired data to be assured that the WiFi operated correctly. We developed a method that uses principal component analysis (PCA) to provide a clinician with easy to interpret cyclograms showing the difference between the recorded and healthy-like gait performance. The cyclograms formed by the first two principal components in the PCA space show the step-to-step reproducibility. We suggest that a cyclogram and its orientation to the coordinate system PC1 vs. PC2 allow a simple assessment of the gait. We show results for six healthy persons and five patients with hemiplegia., (© 2021 Walter de Gruyter GmbH, Berlin/Boston.)

Ethnobotanical and ethnopharmacological studies of many Centaurea species indicated their potential in folk medicine so far. However, investigations of different Centaurea calcitrapa L. extracts in terms of cytotoxicity and antimicrobial activity against phytopathogens are generally scarce. The phenolic profile and broad antimicrobial activity (especially towards bacterial phytopathogens) of methanol (MeOH), 70% ethanol (EtOH), ethyl-acetate (EtOAc), 50% acetone (Me 2 CO) and dichloromethane: methanol (DCM: MeOH, 1: 1) extracts of C. calcitrapa leaves and their potential toxicity on MRC-5 cell line were investigated for the first time. A total of 55 phenolic compounds were identified: 30 phenolic acids and their derivatives, 25 flavonoid glycosides and aglycones. This is also the first report of the presence of centaureidin, jaceidin, kaempferide, nepetin, flavonoid glycosides, phenolic acids and their esters in C. calcitrapa extracts. The best results were obtained with EtOAc extract with lowest MIC values expressed in µg/mL ranging from 13 to 25, while methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus was the most susceptible strain. The most susceptible phytopathogens were Pseudomonas syringae pv. syringae, Xanthomonas campestris pv. campestris and Agrobacterium tumefaciens. The highest cytotoxicity was recorded for EtOAc and Me 2 CO extracts with the lowest relative and absolute IC 50 values between 88 and 102 µg/mL, while EtOH extract was the least toxic with predicted relative IC 50 value of 1578 µg/mL. Our results indicate that all tested extracts at concentration considered as non-toxic can be one of great importance in combat towards phytopathogenic and human pathogenic strains, as well as natural sources of antimicrobials.

Specific activity of 137 Cs, 40 K, and 210 Pb radionuclides in fifteen selected medicinal herbs from three locations in Central Serbia (two mountains, Kopaonik and Zlatar, and a valley, Sokobanja) was measured using two semiconductor HPGe spectrometer systems. The obtained values are in intervals (<0.3 ÷ 9.7) Bq/kg, (<0.2 ÷ 24.7) Bq/kg, and (<0.2 ÷ 5.7) Bq/kg for 137 Cs; in intervals (125 ÷ 1100) Bq/kg, (104 ÷ 872) Bq/kg, and (103 ÷ 954) Bq/kg for 40 K, and in intervals (3.6 ÷ 49.0) Bq/kg, (3.9 ÷ 57.9) Bq/kg, and (2.8 ÷ 103) Bq/kg for 210 Pb, for herbs from Kopaonik, Sokobanja and Zlatar, respectively. The highest activity measured in individual herbs was: 24.7 Bq/kg for 137 Cs (Sokobanja valley), 1100 Bq/kg for 40 K (Mt. Kopaonik) and 103 Bq/kg for 210 Pb (Mt. Zlatar). The corresponding individual annual effective doses due to ingestion calculated from the measured activity concentrations, of the radionuclides are: in intervals (<1.7 ÷ 82.9) nSv, (<1.4 ÷ 211) nSv, and (<1.1 ÷ 48.7) nSv for 137 Cs; in intervals (0.76 ÷ 4.5) μSv, (0.64 ÷ 4.4) μSv, and (0.63 ÷ 4.9) μSv for 40 K, and in intervals (1.1 ÷ 18.2) μSv, (1.3 ÷ 21.6) μSv, (0.9 ÷ 38.3) μSv for 210 Pb, respectively. The specific activity concentration values of 137 Cs and 40 K obtained for the investigated herbs are similar to the literature data, while no information was found in literature about specific activity concentration of 210 Pb. The all values obtained for individual annual effective dose due to ingestion are less than 100 μSv, which means that the daily use of 200 mL of herbal infusion during a year made from the investigated herbs does not represent a radiological risk for health. However, a high individual annual effective dose of ingestion of 210 Pb obtained for some herbs indicate that their consumption in larger amounts 2-3 cups of infusion daily over a year could make the dose to exceed the recommended level, and points to necessity for extensive investigation of 210 Pb activity concentration worldwide., (Copyright © 2019 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Ethnopharmacological Relevance: Essential oils obtained from resins of Boswellia carteri Birdw. and Commiphora myrrha (Nees) Engl., commonly known as frankincense and true myrrh respectively, have been used extensively since 2800 BCE for the treatment of skin sores, wounds, teeth, inflammation, and urinary tract diseases in traditional medicine; for preparation of mummification balms and unguents; and also as incense and perfumes. Since ancient times, burning of frankincense and myrrh in places of worship for spiritual purposes and contemplation (a ubiquitous practice across various religions) had hygienic functions, to refine the smell and reduce contagion by purifying the indoor air., Aim of the Study: The general purpose of the study was to assess the in vitro antimicrobial potential of the liquid and vapour phases of B. carteri and C. myrrha essential oils and burn incense, as well as to test the effectiveness of their in situ application to cleanse microbially-contaminated air within the ambient of an investigated 17th-century church., Materials and Methods: The chemical composition of B. carteri and C. myrrha essential oils, obtained by hydrodistillation of frankincense and true myrrh oleo gum resins was determined using GC/MS, and antimicrobial properties of their liquid and vapour phases were assessed by the broth microdilution and microatmosphere diffusion methods. Chemical analysis of burn incense fume obtained using bottle gas washing with dichloromethane as a solvent was performed by GC/MS, while its antimicrobial activity was evaluated using a modified microatmosphere diffusion method to evaluate germination inhibition for fungi and CFU count reduction for bacteria. The in situ antimicrobial activity of B. carteri burn incense and essential oil vapour phase was assessed in the sealed nave and diaconicon of the church, respectively., Results: The dominant compounds of B. carteri EO were α-pinene (38.41%) and myrcene (15.21%), while C. myrrha EO was characterized by high content of furanoeudesma-1,3-diene (17.65%), followed by curzerene (12.97%), β-elemene (12.70%), and germacrene B (12.15%). Burn incense fume and soot had α-pinene (68.6%) and incensole (28.6%) as the most dominant compounds, respectively. In vitro antimicrobial assays demonstrated high bacterial and fungal sensitivity to the liquid and vapour phases of EOs, and burn incense fume. In situ application of B. carteri EO vapour and incense fume resulted in reduction of air-borne viable microbial counts by up to 45.39 ± 2.83% for fungi and 67.56 ± 3.12% for bacteria (EO); and by up to 80.43 ± 2.07% for fungi and 91.43 ± 1.26% for bacteria (incense fume)., Conclusions: The antimicrobial properties of essential oil derived from frankincense, a compound with well-known traditional use, showed that it possesses a clear potential as a natural antimicrobial agent. Moreover, the results suggest possible application of B. carteri EO vapour and incense fume as occasional air purifiers in sacral ambients, apart from daily church rituals., (Copyright © 2018 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

In this work, weddellite and sylvite crystals are identified for the first time on the involucral bracts and petals of Xeranthemum annuum and Xeranthemum cylindraceum using scanning electron microscopy coupled with energy dispersive spectrometric (SEM-EDS) analysis. Well-developed crystals of weddellite (CaC2O4·2H2O) occur in the form of a tetragonal bipyramid (hhl), rarely in combination of a bipyramid and tetragonal prism (h00). Indumentum of involucral bracts of X. cylindraceum consists of nonglandular and glandular trichomes. Sylvite (KCl) crystals are observed only on the petal surface of X. cylindraceum. The crystals of sylvite occur in the form of perfect cubes (hexahedrons), but some crystals are deformed, i.e., partially elongated. Taxonomic significance of investigated microcharacters as well as the use of SEM-EDS analysis in taxonomic studies of plants are discussed.

In urban and industrial areas, higher plants are used as biomonitors of exposure. The objective of this study was to assess metals accumulation in leaves of dendroflora for the city of Novi Sad, Serbia, in May and September. The investigation was conducted at three sites in the urban area of Novi Sad. Determination of metals concentration for Al, As, Cr, Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, Cd, and Pb in the sample was performed by inductively coupled plasma-optical emission spectrometry (ICP/OES). In the leaves of the examined tree species the highest concentrations were obtained for: Al, Fe, Mn, and Zn. The highest mean concentrations of metals were present in leaves of Aesculus hippocastanum in September. Trees from Liman and the Danube Park contained higher mean concentrations of metals in the leaves. In A. hippocastanum and Platanus hybrida an increase of al., As, Cr, Fe, and Pb concentrations occurred from May to September, with higher concentrations of Al and Fe noted in May. However, in Celtis australis, Juglans regia, and Tilia platypyllos there was a reduction in Al, Mn, Fe, and Zn from May to September. The basis for these findings requires further investigation, but diverse washing procedures may account partially for these observations.

Introduction: Prognosis of patients with malignant tongue base tumors is poor. Survival is low, in spite of different treatment modalities. Most patients seek treatment too late, when their disease has already progressed to stage III or IV. The aim of this investigation was to compare different treatment modalities in patients with malignant tongue base tumors., Material and Methods: We have analyzed a total of 82 patients (72 men and 6 women) treated at the ENT Clinic, Clinical Center Novi Sad, between 1992 and 2004. The average age of our patients was 59 years. In regard to lifestyle habits, out of 82 patients, 67 were smokers and 57 were alcohol users (16 of the latter were treated alcoholics). The majority (54/82) of patients were both smokers and alcohol users., Results: There were 6% of patients (5/82) with stage I disease, 15% ofJ patients (12/82) with stage 11, 24% of patients (20/82) with stage III and 55% of patient (45/82) with stage IV disease. Planocellular cancer was diagnosed in 79/82 patients, and the remaining (3182) had transitional cell carcinoma. Surgical treatment alone was performed in 17 patients, seven were treated with radiation only, and nine only with chemotherapy. Combined surgical and radiation therapy was performed in 28 patients, and 5 were treated with all three. Ten patients were not treated with any therapy. Tongue base resection only was performed in 12 patients, tongue base resection with epiglottectomy in 20, tongue base resection with supraglottic laryngectomy in 13 and tongue base resection with total laryngectomy in 5 patients. In radiation only cases, 25% of patients survived 20 months, whereas in surger) only cases, 25% of patients survived 27 months. Five-year survival after combined surgical and radiation therapy was 35%, Conclusion: Development of tongue base carcinoma is strongly associated with alcohol and tobacco consumption. Survival is low, despite various treatment modalities. However, combined therapy is the therapy of choice in cases with tongue base carcinoma.

In 86 patients with primary HLP type IV over 50% were detected at systematical examinations of non-commissioned officers so that the number of male patients is uncommonly very high, 80, (93%). The highest number of patients--66 (92,5%) belonged to the age group 41-60 years. The analysed group showed the increased incidence of: obesity (60,5%), disturbed glycoregulation (45,3%), arterial hypertension (34,9%), ischemic heart disease (26,7%), hyperuricemia (23%), occlusive peripheral artery disease (16,3%), low values of serum cholesterol concentration LVG (X = 0,98 mmol/l), markedly decreased fibrinolytic activity (eugolobulin fibrinolysis 240 +/- 29 min) and hyperinsulinism (in 9 of 13 patients). Eruptive xanthomas were found in 7 (8,1%) patients. Due to male predominance the incidence of cholelithiasis is lower than expected (8,1%).