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Near infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) has high potential as a rapid nondestructive approach to identifying wood species and estimating properties that affect their utilization. This study found that NIRS could differentiate certain wood species groups. True firs (balsam fir (Abies balsamea (L.) Mill.) and subalpine fir (Abies lasiocarpa (Hook.) Nutt.)) could be distinguished from pine and spruce in eastern and western spruce-pine-fir, respectively, more than 95% of the time. West-ern hemlock (Tsuga heterophylla (Raf.) Sarg.) could be differentiated from amabilis fir (Abies amabilis Douglas ex J. For-bes) in the Hem-Fir species group with about 90% accuracy. Average wood moisture content (MC) of air-dried southern pine and western redcedar (Thuja plicata Donn ex D. Don) samples wood could be estimated by NIRS ±10%-30% at high moisture contents and more accurately ([+ or -]2%-5%) below 30% MC. Conditioned samples of amabilis fir had predicted MCs within 2%-3% of measured values in the 0%-30% MC range. However, the broad applicability and response of NIRS to a number of factors may be its greatest weakness, since measurements for a specific response, such as MC or species differentiation, may be confounded by the effects of other variables, such as surface roughness and localized density differences. It is recommended that instrumentation with a relatively large probe (large illumination area) be used to average such variables in the sample. La spectroscopie dans le proche infrarouge (SPIR) a un fort potentiel comme approche non destructrice et rapide pour identifier les especes de bois et estimer les proprietes qui influencent leur utilisation. Cette etude a revele que la SPIR pouvait differencier certains groupes d'especes de bois. Les especes du genre Abies (le sapin baumier (Abies balsamea (L.) Mill.) et le sapin subalpin (Abies lasiocarpa (Hook.) Nutt.)) pouvaient etre distinguees du pin dans l'Est et de l'epinette dans l'Ouest parmi le groupe epinette-pin-sapin plus de 95 % du temps. La pruche de l'Ouest (Tsuga heterophylla (Raf.) Sarg.) pouvait etre distinguee du sapin gracieux (Abies amabilis Douglas ex J. Forbes) dans le groupe Hem-Fir avec une precision d'environ 90 %. La teneur moyenne en humidite du bois d'echantillons de pin dans le Sud et de thuya geant (Thuja plicata Donn ex D. Don) seches a l'air pouvait etre estimee par la SPIR avec un ecart de ±10 % a 30 % lorsque la te-neur en humidite est elevee et de facon plus precise (±2 % a 5 %) lorsque la teneur en humidite est inferieure a 30 %. Dans le cas d'echantillons conditionnes de sapin gracieux, la teneur en humidite pouvait etre predite avec un ecart de seulement 2 % a -3 % par rapport aux valeurs mesurees dans la fourchette de 0 % a 30 % d'humidite. Cependant, la vaste gamme d'ap-plications et la reaction de la SPIR a plusieurs facteurs constituent possiblement sa plus grande faiblesse etant donne que la mesure d'une reponse specifique, telle que la teneur en humidite ou la differenciation des especes, peut etre influencee par les effets d'autres variables telles que les differences localisees de rugosite de surface et de densite. On recommande d'utili-ser une instrumentation munie d'une sonde relativement large (grande surface d'illumination) pour que les lectures corres-pondent a une moyenne de ces autres variables dans l'echantillon. [Traduit par la Redaction], Background For many applications, rapid and reliable sorting of solid wood by species and other properties and attributes for value-added products is needed (Anonymous 2000). Near infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) can [...]

Fractures of the tibial shaft are the most common fractures of long bones. Open fractures of the tibial shaft often lead to simultaneous severe soft tissue and bone damage. The absence of adequate soft tissue coverage, together with the specific blood supply to this region, makes these fractures susceptible to infection and non-healing. A thorough patient evaluation, including diagnosis of soft tissue and bone damage, is essential for the successful treatment of tibial diaphysis fractures. The medical importance of tibial diaphyseal fracture on the one hand, and the uncertainties that exist when it comes to treatment, on the other hand, impose the need to examine the best therapeutic modalities in patients with tibial diaphyseal fracture. In addition to conservative treatment, which is reserved for fractures without dislocation of fracture fragments, the most common approach is surgical treatment - with external fixators or intramedullary fixation with nails. Today, intramedullary fixation takes precedence in the treatment of most fracture types. Ilizarov external fixator is still the method of choice in patients with multiple traumas. Most studies did not observe a significant difference in the frequency of postoperative complications between the two methods, such as delayed healing and fracture nonunion, however, numerous studies indicate more frequent superficial infections in patients treated with an external fixator, or deep infections in patients treated with intramedullary pins. Each of the mentioned complications additionally burdens both the surgical team and the patient, i.e. the success of the treatment and functionality, together with the quality of life after the treatment is completed. Therefore, it is necessary to conduct larger, prospective, and multicenter studies on complication rates, which will help in choosing the most adequate treatment method for tibial diaphysis fractures.

Ovarian tumors are a common entity in clinical practice. Tumors with an ovarian mass diameter exceeding 20 cm are termed giant ovarian tumors. Their prevalence is low, as most cases are diagnosed early during routine gynecological examinations or are incidental findings. A 34-year-old patient was admitted to the Clinic for Endocrinology for the initiation of a weight loss regimen and reevaluation of hyperthyroidism. She reported gaining about 70 kg since 2019, during which she was also diagnosed with hyperthyroidism. In September 2022 she underwent thyroid surgery (right lobe and isthmus removed); histopathology result: colloid cystic goiter, partly hyperplastic thyroid gland. Upon admission, her main complaints were abdominal pressure and shortness of breath. On examination, the patient was morbidly obese (BMI 62 kg/m²). Initial and repeated abdominal ultrasound showed a well-defined subcutaneous fluid collection measuring about 240 mm, creating cellulitis in the anterior abdominal wall. A gynecological examination revealed an anechoic formation measuring 110x80 mm behind and above the uterus. A CT scan of the abdomen without IV contrast showed a large cystic expansive tumor change in the right adnexa measuring 318x380x242mm with sharp contours, filled with serous fluid, and surrounded by a capsule, differential diagnosis: cystadenoma of the right ovary. The patient was presented to the Oncology and Radiology Institute of Serbia (IORS) for a multidisciplinary consultation, where it was decided to remove the tumor of the right ovary and the remaining left lobe of the thyroid gland in one operation. On September 21, 2023, the patient was operated at IORS, where the tumor weighing about 30 kg was removed. Histopathology results: 1. mucinous cystadenoma of the ovary; 2. colloid goiter micro and macrofollicular thyroid gland. Follow-up in January 2024 showed the patient without previously mentioned symptoms of dyspnea and abdominal pressure, with TSH 7.21, fT4 16.4 on a dose of 175mcg levothyroxine. The patient continued with a reduction diet at home.

Background/Aim. To date, most of the scientific attention has been aimed at the morphometric analysis of the nephrogenic zone (NZ) of the fetal renal cortex, while the quantification and analysis of the maturation zone (MZ) and other indicators of renal maturity were missing. The aim of the study was to examine the characteristics of fetal kidney cortex maturation, as well as to propose the development of a new cortical maturity index (CMI). Methods. The study included 42 paraffin molds of the fetal kidney, divided into three groups according to gestational age (GA). After hematoxylin and eosin staining, tissue sections were analyzed through the following parameters: the thickness of the NZ and MZ, the renal corpuscles area (RCa) and the glomerular capillary tuft area (GCTa), and the maturation stages of the glomeruli. In addition, a new parameter, CMI, was formed as a ratio of NZ and MZ thickness. The collected data were statistically processed. Results. Changes in NZ and MZ thickness were statistically significant, and they correlated with GA. A value of CMI higher than 0.2 was recorded in the kidney samples of fetuses younger than the 20th gestational week (GW), while a value lower than 0.1 was recorded in the samples older than the 30th GW. With an increase in GA in all zones of the renal cortex, RCa and GCTa decreased. A statistically significant reduction of GCTa was observed in the oldest group in the juxtamedullary and intermediate zones of the cortex (p < 0.01). Glomeruli located in the deeper parts of the cortex were more mature than the superficial ones. Conclusion. The measured parameters can serve as a starting point for future studies that would analyze the histomorphological characteristics of the fetal kidney cortex. In the absence of clinical data, a newly formed parameter CMI can represent assistance with the determination of GA, as it significantly correlates with GA (p < 0.01).

Introduction. Calcaneus fractures are rare but potentially debilitating injuries. Most of them are displaced intraarticular fractures, whose management is among controversial issues. There is no consensus on whether to operate or not. The most often chosen surgical treatment is open reduction and internal fixation as the primary method. Failure of this surgery often needs secondary subtalar arthrodesis as definitive management, so primary subtalar arthrodesis in cases with severe comminution represents definitive treatment in one stage with good functional results. Case outline. We present a case of a 54-year-old male patient with a severely comminuted (Sanders type IV) bilateral calcaneus fracture. After the withdrawal of local swelling and disappearance of fracture blisters, the patient was operated on using one-stage bilateral subtalar arthrodesis with percutaneous screw fixation and bone grafting performed through a mini-open sinus tarsi approach. The early postoperative period was uneventful. The patient did not walk for the first seven postoperative weeks, after which rehabilitation was continued with partial weight bearing with a gradual increase of weight-bearing to full over the next five weeks, after which walking aids were completely phased out. Three years after surgery, the patient has no symptoms and has a close-to-normal gait. Conclusion. Although this type of injury has traditionally been treated with open reduction and internal fixation, we believe that primary subtalar arthrodesis with bone grafting through a mini-open sinus tarsi approach can benefit patients with severe comminution of calcaneus, allowing good functional results and patient satisfaction, with fewer postoperative complications and faster definitive recovery.

Background/Aim. There are a few research papers in Serbia that report on the clinical results of scarf osteotomy (SO) and its long-term effects. The aim of this retrospective study was to evaluate the efficacy of SO in hallux valgus (HV) deformity correction, as well as the degree of recurrence and its possible causes. Methods. The study included 48 patients (52 feet) who underwent SO. The average follow-up time was 103.9 (63–156) months. In order to clinically evaluate the results, the American Orthopedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) scale and the Visual Analog Scale (VAS) of pain were used. In order to radiographically determine the degree of deformity, preoperative and postoperative radiographs of the feet were taken in the standing position, and the following parameters were determined: HV angle (HVA), intermetatarsal angle, distal metatarsal articular angle, and sesamoid position. Results. The AOFAS scores increased from 19 (5–45) points preoperatively to 92 (54–100) points at the time of the latest follow-up examination (p < 0.001). The VAS values significantly improved from 10 (8–10) preoperatively to 0 (0–6). The average HVA correction was 24.8°. The recurrence rate in patients in whom the HVA was greater than 20° was 26.9%. Conclusion. Although SO is a proven procedure for the correction of HV, long-term results still show a relatively high rate of recurrence.

At a time when the use of digital technologies has become totally available to a large number of people, digital transformations in the domain of health enable significant changes when it comes to knowledge, information and provision of healthcare services. Therefore, in the conditions of an increase in the number of people suffering from malignant diseases, the application of digital communications provides new frameworks for the provision of healthcare services as well as the organization of some preventive activities. The paper tests the differences in answers between respondents who have different demographic characteristics, general health assessment, performed screening and received information about malignant diseases. Carrying out this research, the authors want to draw attention to the current issues of the healthcare system, in order to define some strategies for new ways of doing business in healthcare. All their efforts are in that context.

Introduction. Hemophagocytic syndrome (HS) after Bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG) immunotherapy is extremely rare in everyday practice. Only three cases of HS have been reported in the world until now. BCG is used for preventing the recurrence of superficial tumors of the urinary bladder. Severe complications after BCG immunotherapy are rarely seen. Case report. A 55-year-old patient was transferred to the Clinic for Urology after the second round of BCG immunotherapy, in bad condition, after transurethral resection of a bladder tumor. Computed tomography of the abdomen and lesser pelvis was performed, which did not indicate any clear signs of organ failure or disease. Antitubercular, antibiotic, corticosteroid, and symptomatic therapies were applied. The achieved effect of therapy was not satisfactory. HS after BCG immunotherapy was suspected. During further hospitalization, the patient’s already severe condition further deteriorated and became more complicated in the form of multiorgan dysfunction syndrome. Death occurred on the sixth day of hospitalization. A urine culture test was performed post-mortem and three months later, it was positive for Mycobacterium xenopi. Conclusion. Secondary HS after BCG immunotherapy is an extremely rare disease accompanied by a severe general condition of the patient, with many life-threatening complications that can lead to death. We have presented a case of severe HS after BCG immunotherapy that caused the death of the patient. This case was unique because, for the first time, the possible causative agent was isolated – Mycobacteria.

This paper investigates the relationship between oil, gold and steel prices observed over a period of ten years with the aim of presenting their situation and trends using statistical methods and time series over a longer period of time and their impact on agricultural development. The high share of agriculture in the basic macroeconomic aggregates of the Republic of Serbia conditions that agriculture has a significant role in the foreign trade of the Republic of Serbia, especially in exports. The negative trend of rising fuel prices per farmer reduces the average fuel consumption per hectare. Also, the growth of the price of steel is conditioned by the growth of the prices of agricultural machinery.

The rare earth elements represent an increasingly more and more important industrial resource. The increased use may result in waste generation, and their impact upon the environment quality has not been studied sufficiently. Their interaction with soil has been studied in this paper. The Freundlich adsorption isotherm has been determined for lanthanum, erbium and gadolinium at three different soil types (humus, clay and sand type), whereas the sequential extraction at these soil types has been applied for lanthanum and neodymium. The interaction of certain rare earth elements with soil components has been tested as well as the quantity in which these elements are bound to soil and later on extracted in solutions. The objective was to determine the soil capacity for disposal, first of all, of the electronic waste that contains these elements and to assume their fate in the environment.

Teamwork requires quality two-way communication in a team, both formal and informal, which can only be achieved by increased engagement of senders and recipients of information in the communication process. Quality communication removes, or minimizes, psychological, semantic, physical and technical obstacles to the communication process. Successful functioning of a team requires constant exchange of information between team members, creating a favorable organizational climate (team atmosphere), motivating team members, encouraging team members to creative work and initiative and subtly guiding team members towards the goal.

Background/Aim. Segmental fractures represent complex tibial injuries, featuring a unique fracture type that is most commonly caused by high-energy trauma. These fractures are considered to be a treatment challenge for orthopaedic surgeons due to their sporadic presentation, wide zone of soft tissue injury, and increased rate of complications. They are characterized by a highly unstable intermediary segment and a high rate of open fractures. The method of Ilizarov with its characteristics could offer many advantages over the existing operative techniques. This method, using a percutaneous approach, minimizes the intraoperative trauma and avoids the additional compromising of the biological environment at the fracture site. The aim of this study was to evaluate the results of the Ilizarov fixator in the treatment of segmental tibial fractures. Methods. We analyzed 30 patients treated with the Ilizarov fixator between 2012 and 2017. The average age of patients was 36 years (from 24 to 65). The most common mechanism of injury was a road traffic accident. Open fractures were noted in 22 cases. All fractures were reduced using indirect percutaneous techniques with a great focus on achieving the correct length, rotation, and axial alignment of fragments. All patients were advised to bear weight as tolerated from the second postoperative day. Bone healing and functional results were evaluated according to the criteria established by the Association for the Study and Application of the Method of Ilizarov. Results. Bone healing was achieved in all patients. The average time to union was 25 weeks (19 to 36 weeks). Bone results were excellent in 23 patients, good in five, and fair in two patients. Functional results were excellent in 22 cases, good in 5, and fair in three cases. Eight patients had minor pin-tract infections, successfully treated with oral antibiotics. Patients were without any major complications. Conclusion. The Ilizarov method is a safe and efficient treatment modality for segmental tibial fractures.

Introduction. Mucinous tubular and spindle cell carcinoma of the kidney (MTSCC) is a rare and recently described subtype of renal cell carcinoma (RCC). As its name indicates, the tumor is composed of three morphological structures: tubules consisted of cuboidal cells, spindle cells, and extracellular mucus. Case report. A 59-year-old female patient was admitted to the Emergency Center of the Clinical Center of Vojvodina due to injuries sustained in a traffic accident. After diagnostic procedures, computer tomography (CT) revealed a large asymptomatic cyst of the upper pole of the left kidney as an incidental finding. Four months later, after recovering from traumatic injuries, a control CT confirmed a well-circumscribed tumor, 90 mm in diameter, confined to a kidney, and a radical nephrectomy was performed. Histopathological evaluation showed that the necrotic tumor mass consisted of tubules made of cuboidal cells and cords made of spindle cells separated by pale mucinous material in some areas, while other tumor parts were of dense cellularity without mucin. No atypia was found. Conclusion. MTSCC is a variant of papillary RCC, thus, it is usually mistaken with papillary RCC with sarcomatoid differentiation. Because of the same immunoprofile as papillary RCC, histomorphology is imposed as the gold standard for making the diagnosis. MTSCC is a tumor with a generally favorable prognosis, and complete surgical excision appears to be adequate treatment, but single cases with metastatic disease have been reported. In this case, there were no signs of the dis-ease one year after surgery.

Introduction. The fractures of the posterior process of the talus are relatively rare injuries of the ankle. They most frequently occur via the mechanism of the forced hyper plantar flexion and inversion. Sometimes they are not initially diagnosed, since over 40% of cases of the fractures of the posterior process of the talus are not seen in the initial radiography. The objective of this work is the review of the case study of the arthroscopically treated unhealed fracture of the posterior process of the talus. Case outline. In our case report we present a 30-year-old male, professional soccer player, with a threemonth-long history of chronic pain in the region of the left ankle and heel and the fracture of the posterior process of the talus. Conclusion. The work shows all the advantages of minimally invasive surgery – arthroscopic excision of the fragment, quick recovery and returning to physical activities.

Introduction/Objective. Since tibial shaft is a common location of opened and closed tibial fractures, it is very important to determine the best method of treating these fractures. Our objective was to assess whether the Ilizarov technique is appropriate in terms of complications, outcomes, and pain reduction in treatment of patients with tibial shaft fracture. Methods. Retrospective analysis included all consecutive patients with tibial shaft fracture treated with the Ilizarov technique in the period from January 2013 to June 2017 at the Banjica Institute for Orthopaedic Surgery, Belgrade, Serbia. Demographic and clinical data on patients were collected. Pain was assessed using visual analogue scale of pain. Two models of uni- and multi-variate linear regression analysis were performed. Results. The study showed that the overall rate of complications was low, and that hypertension, administration of antibiotics, and reoperation prolonged fixation. Also, severe fractures and longer procedure time delay mobilization. Significant reduction of pain was observed. Conclusion. The Ilizarov technique is a safe and reliable method in the treatment of patients with tibial shaft fractures and is followed by pain reduction, overall improvement of functioning, good outcomes, and is not commonly associated with complications.

This work is the first report of a very simple and fast one-pot synthesis of nickel oxide (NiO) and hematite (α-Fe2O3) nanoparticles by thermal decomposition of transition metal aqua complexes with camphor sulfonate anions. Obtained nanopowders were characterized by X-ray powder diffraction, Fourier transform IR analysis, scanning electron microscopy, and Energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy. X-ray powder diffraction confirmed the formation of high purity NiO and α-Fe2O3 crystal phases. In the case of α-Fe2O3, about five times larger average crystallite size was obtained. Fourier transform IR spectra of synthesized materials showed characteristic peaks for NiO and α-Fe2O3 nanostructures. To visualize the morphology and the chemical composition of the final products Scanning electron microscopy and Energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy were performed. The thermogravimetric analysis was done for a better understanding of the general thermal behavior of precursor compounds. This easy-to-perform and fast preparation method opens a broad range of obtained materials’ usage, particularly due to its economic viability

Introduction/Objective. The foramen of Vesalius is a variable foramen located at the base of the skull, anteromedial to the foramen ovale, and lateral to the foramen rotundum. Through this foramen, passes one of the emissary veins, which establishes communication between the cavernous sinus and the pterygoid plexus. The aim of the study was to determine the incidence of this foramen in adults depending on gender, along with the number of foramina, distributions relative to the side of the skull and diameter of the foramen. Methods. A material used in the study were digital computed tomography (CT) scans of adult paranasal cavities from the archives of the Radiology Center, archived in the PACS software system. We analyzed axial CT sections of 1 mm thickness. The research included 500 subjects (250 males and 250 females). Results. The foramen of Vesalius was present in 67.6% of respondents. In 50.9% cases, the foramen was bilateral and in 49.1% it was unilateral. The average oblique diameter of the foramen in men was 1.75 ± 0.59 mm and in women 1.56 ± 0.48 mm. In 22 subjects (6.51%) the foramina were doubled, and in two (0.60%) they were tripled. Conclusion. There was no statistically significant difference in the incidence of the foramen of Vesalius concerning gender. The mean diameter of the foramen was statistically higher in males. The presence of this foramen is important for neurosurgeons because, during the percutaneous trigeminal rhizotomy, the needle can pass through this foramen, injure the surrounding blood vessels, and lead to intracranial hemorrhage.