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Acute upper respiratory tract infections (URIs) are the most common infections in the population, especially in children. URIs are mostly of viral origin and tend to resolve spontaneously in approximately one week. Bacterial URIs are less common, and come mostly as superinfections of acute viral diseases. The therapy is symptomatic and aimed at alleviating cough, maintaining the patency of airways and preventing disease progression. If there are no reasons to see a doctor, parents should be advised to apply general measures and give herbal medicinal products to their children, in an attempt to relieve cough, sore throat and nasal symptoms. In productive cough, herbal expectorants, such as, for example, Hederae helicis folium extracts, are used to facilitate the elimination of mucus. On the other hand, demulcents (Althaeae radix, Plantaginis lanceolatae folium) alleviate dry cough by reducing local irritation. Honey also significantly reduces the frequency and severity of acute cough episodes. Extracts of Sisymbrii officinalis herba and Pelargonii radix are useful for the alleviation of nasal symptoms and sore throat. If the application of the proposed herbal products does not resolve the symptoms within a week, advice of a medical doctor should be sought.

In the production of refined sunflower oil, waxes are removed during the winterization stage, and wax crystals are separated through filtration assisted by filtration aids. Commonly used filtration aids in oil refining include perlite and diatomaceous earth. After winterization, a significant amount of filter cake remains as a by-product and is treated as waste. Today, natural cellulose fibers are being promoted as filtration aids. Their advantages are numerous, both in the production process and from an environmental perspective. However, their only disadvantage is their higher cost. Therefore, in this study, 57 filtration cycles during the industrial sunflower oil winterization step using cellulose-based filtration aids were monitored. Different process parameters, including the pressure differential on the filter, the flow rate of filtered oil, constant pressure period, the quantity of filtered oil, filtration time, the quantity of pre-coating and dosing filtration aids, the volume of filtered oil, the concentration of dosing filtration aid, as well as the mass of separated waxes, were observed. Additionally, artificial neural networks were applied to predict process parameters, optimize the process, and, above all, determine the dosage of filtration aids, which will make the process more economical. The optimal filtration process is performed at a pressure differential of 3.3 bar, lasting a total of 39 h, with 32 h at constant pressure, resulting in 322,503 kg of filtered oil and 90.41 kg of waxes. The optimal quantity of cellulose-based filtration aids employed for pre-coat was 80 kg, and for dosing, 375 kg, with an optimal concentration of 0.12% w/w. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Agricultural waste is underutilized, and sometimes burning them has a negative impact on the environment and human health. This research investigates the untapped potential of extracts from maize, wheat and sunflower waste as natural materials for cutaneous, specifically, cosmetic application. The possibility of incorporating lipid and ethanol extracts from wheat, maize, and sunflower into creams was investigated together with their potential contribution to the structural and functional properties of the topical formulations. Results of the physicochemical characterization show that investigated extracts can be successfully incorporated into creams with satisfactory stability. All extracts showed a desirable safety profile and good antimicrobial activity against various microorganisms. Lipid extracts have proven to be promising structural ingredients of the oil phase, contributing to the spreadability, occlusivity, and emollient effect. Ethanol extracts influenced washability and stickiness of the formulation and could be considered as prospective ingredients in self-preserving formulations. The extracts affected the sensory properties of the creams, mainly the smell and color. These results suggest that the extracts from wheat, maize, and sunflower waste could be used as multifunctional natural ingredients for cosmetic formulations which can replace less sustainable raw materials. This also represents a valorization of waste and is in line with broader sustainability goals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A lack of strategies for the utilization of harvest residues (HRs) has led to serious environmental problems due to an accumulation of these residues or their burning in the field. In this study, wheat and corn HRs were used as feedstock for the production of microcrystalline cellulose (MCC) by treatment with 2–8% sodium hydroxide, 10% hydrogen peroxide and further hydrolysis with 1–2 M hydrochloric acid. The changes in the FT-IR spectra and PXRD diffractograms after chemical treatment confirmed the removal of most of the lignin, hemicellulose and amorphous fraction of cellulose. A higher degree of crystallinity was observed for MCC obtained from corn HRs, which was attributed to a more efficient removal of lignin and hemicellulose by a higher sodium hydroxide concentration, which facilitates the dissolution of amorphous cellulose during acid hydrolysis. MCC obtained from HRs exhibited lower bulk density and poorer flow properties but similar or better tableting properties compared to commercial MCC (CeolusTM PH101). The lower ejection and detachment stress suggests that MCC isolated from HRs requires less lubricant compared to commercial MCC. This study showed that MCC isolated from wheat and corn HRs exhibits comparable tableting behaviour like commercial sample, further supporting this type of agricultural waste utilization. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Boswellia species (Burseraceae) are trees or shrubs whose area of distribution covers the wide geographic area between North Africa and India. After incision, their bark produces oleogum resin known as frankincense (Olibanum). In traditional medicine, frankincense is often used for medical treatment of arthritis, asthma, ulcerative colitis, coughs, sores, and wound healing. Various frankincense preparations are marketed almost exclusively as dietary supplements. Indian frankincense, or Olibanum indicum, is official in the European Pharmacopoeia. The major components of frankincense are boswellic acids, among which the most important and abundant is 3-O-acetyl-11-keto-b-boswellic acid (AKBA). AKBA is a 5-lipoxygenase inhibitor with anti-inflammatory and anti-arthritic effects. Besides, frankincense contains essential oil, whose composition greatly depends on the biological source, as well as arabinogalactans and glycoproteins. In small clinical trials, certain benefits of various frankincense preparations have been demonstrated in cases of ulcerative colitis, bronchial asthma, mild symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome, and various disorders of osteo-muscular system. However, for collagenous colitis and Crohn's disease remission maintenance, the evidence is ambiguous or negative. AKBA-containing extract was found advantageous in patients with osteoarthritis, and to some extent with rheumatoid arthritis. Almost all the trials had serious flaws in experimental design, such as insufficient sample size and/or incomplete reporting of data. For any clinical recommendation of frankincense preparations, larger and better-designed studies are needed.

The paper examined the impact of the application of three different phytohormones (INCIT 2, INCIT 5 and INCIT 8, all based on a-Naphthalene Acetic Acid (NAA)), with the cuttings of two forms of Pannonian thyme (the L-16 form, with hairy leaves, and the L-9 form, with hairless leaves), established during two periods (March and May), on the percentage of the rooted cuttings and the morphological properties of the seedlings. As the control, the variant without the application of the phytohormones was taken. The research was conducted in the period from 2019 to 2020, in a plastic greenhouse, using the plant collection of the Institute for Medicinal Plants Research "Dr Josif Pančić", which is located in Pančevo city, Serbia (44°52'20"N; 20°42'06"E; 74 m.a.s.l.). For this research was used the Pannonian thyme species (Thymus pannonicus All.) from the Lamiaceae family, which is grown and produced at the Institute. Plant establishment was carried out in four repetitions with 33 cuttings per each variant. Standard measures of care were used during the period of production of Pannonian thyme. The measurement was performed after 60 days from the date of conducted the experiment. The following parameters were measured: the percentage of rooted cuttings (%), the mass of the rooted plantlings (g), the mass of roots (g), the length of rooting (cm) and the number of root hairs of the formed rootings. The measuring was done using a ruler, millimetre paper and an analytical balance. Given the results achieved, INCIT 2 proved to be the most suitable phytohormone for the rooting of Pannonic thyme cuttings, with the average percentage of rooted cuttings of 61.3%. The lowest rooting percentage was recorded in the control variant, only 29.4%. Satisfactory rooting was found in the cuttings treated with INCIT 8 (57.6%). The L-16 form cuttings showed a higher rooting rate, an average of 53.8%, whereas the L-9 form cuttings had a lower average percentage of rooted cuttings (45.0%) for both plant establishment periods. Greater success and quality in the rooting of cuttings was recorded in the second (May) period of plant establishment, averaging 58.1%, which was higher by 17.4% than the percentage of rooted cuttings in the first establishment period (40.7%). It is important to note that the rooting of the L-9 form was significantly higher in the second establishment period (58.1%) than that in the first establishment period (31.9%).

Background/Aim. Congenital malformations still represent one of the most important causes of prenatal and infant death. The study aim was to analyze occurrence, outcomes and risk factors of different types of congenital anomalies. Methods. The study included all pregnant women directed to Clinic of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Clinical Center of Serbia, Belgrade due to prenatally diagnosed congenital fetal anomalies during past ten years (January 1, 2008–December 31, 2017). Upon admission to our Clinic a detailed general medical and obstetrical history were taken from every patient. All women underwent genetic testing. Ultrasonography and magnetic resonance were diagnostic methods for fetal malformations confirmation. Results. The study included 773 pregnant women aged from 18 to 46 years. Out of registered nine different groups of fetal anomalies/malformations, the most common were malformations of the central nervous system, while majority of fetuses had combined multiple anomalies. Genetic cause for congenital anomalies was present in 25.2% of pregnancies. Medical pregnancy abortion was performed in 71.8% of cases. Only 10.2% of pregnancies ended in term. The best outcome for children was obtained in case of gastrointestinal anomalies (52% live born). Contrary, only one child with neck and thorax malformations could be saved. According to logistic regression the most important predictor of having a child with combined multiple anomalies was mother’s age, while predictor of central nervous system anomalies was gestational diabetes. The significant predictor of genetic anomalies was mother’s age. Conclusion. In our sample neurological congenital anomalies were the most common, although abnormalities of all organ systems were registered. Majority of pregnancies had to be discontinued due to combined multiple anomalies caused by genetic disorders. Older mother’s age and diabetes can imply on the increased risk for fetal malformations.

In both sexes, "lower urinary tract symptoms" (LUTS) are a very common syndrome that present a major clinical and public health problem due to its negative impact on numerous quality of life aspects. Herbal medicinal products (HMPs) holds an important place in the therapy of acute uncomplicated urinary tract infections (UTIs) and benign prostatic obstruction (BPH) as frequent causes of LUTS. Committee on Herbal Medicinal Products of the European Medicines Agency (EMA/HMPC) lists more than 20 herbal drugs used for production of traditional herbal medicinal products (THMPs) for the treatment of UTIs, classified as urinary antiseptics and diuretics. In the context of actual scientific data, HMPs are considered as a useful adjunct to contemporary pharmacotherapy of uncomplicated UTIs. HMPs have a place in the therapy of BPO, too. According to EMA/HMPC, only one herbal medicinal product with soft hexane extract of saw palmetto fruit has the status of a herbal medicine, while the others are used as TMPs for the relief of LUTS related to benign prostatic hyperplasia. HMPs are less potent than synthetic medicines, and still are not included in standard BPO treatment protocols. However, their use have some great advantages: they can be taken through self-medication, in consultation with the urologist and, therefore, applied significantly earlier than synthetic medicines in initial stages of the disorder.

In this paper, low discrepancy consecutive k-sums permutation problem is considered. A mixed integer linear programing (MILP) formulation with a moderate number of variables and constraints is proposed. The correctness proof shows that the proposed formulation is equivalent to the basic definition of low discrepancy consecutive k-sums permutation problem. Computational results, obtained on standard CPLEX solver, give 88 new exact values, which clearly show the usefulness of the proposed MILP formulation.

The chemical composition of Pulicaria dysenterica (L.) Bernh. aerial parts essential oil (EO), growing wild in Bosnia and Herzegovina, was presented in the study. In addition to the EO composition, antimicrobial and cytotoxic activities were also tested. The aerial parts of P. dysenterica contained 0.3% of yellow, liquid, fragrant EO. The 51 components identified accounted for 81.09% of the oil. The EO was characterized by the presence of a high concentration of oxygenated sesquiterpenes 51.83% while oxygenated monoterpenes constituted 15.57%, sesquiterpene hydrocarbons 9.32% and non-terpene compounds presented 4.37% of the EO. The dominant compounds were the sesquiterpenes caryophyllene oxide, (E)-nerolidol, ß-caryophyllene and monoterpene nerol. The antimicrobial activity of EO was tested against selected ATCC strains of microorganisms, the bacteria Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Escherichia coli, and the fungus Candida albicans. The results showed that the investigated EO inhibited the growth of all selected ATCC strains of microorganisms. The best result was obtained against Escherichia coli bacteria with MIC value of 1 mgmL-1. The cytotoxicity of EO was measured against the HeLa cell line using the MTT method with IC50 of 188.52 µgmL-1. This study has provided scientific baseline data on the therapeutic properties of P. dysenterica. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Herbal medicinal products which are used perorally in the treatment of minor articular pain include those obtained from willow bark, Salicis cortex, devil's claw root, Harpagophyti radix, nettle leaf and herb, Urticae folium/herba, meadowsweet flower and herb, Filipendulae ulmariae flos/herba, ash leaf, Fraxini folium, and blackcurrant leaf, Ribis nigri folium. They can be in the form of a herbal tea or solid and liquid dosage forms. Anti-inflammatory and/or analgetic action form/s basis for their therapeutic usage. Among mentioned herbal drugs, only willow bark, Salicis cortex, is employed for producing herbal medicinal products with well-established use (dry standardised hydroethanolic extract in the solid dosage form intended for oral application). Furthermore, traditional herbal medicines prepared from arnica flower, Arnicae flos, which are intended for dermal application (liquid and semi-solid dosage forms) are used for symptomatic relief of rheumatic complaints, also because of their anti-inflammatory and analgetic effects. Owing to rubefacient activity, herbal medicinal products with well-established use based on the soft extracts of capsicum, Capsici frustus, (medicated plasters and semi-solid dosage forms for cutaneous use), as well as traditional herbal medicines based on rosemary leaf and oil, Rosmarini folium/aetheroleum, juniper oil, Juniperi aetheroleum, and eucalyptus oil, Eucalypti aetheroleum (bath additives and/or liquid and semi-solid dosage forms for dermal application), are used to decrease pain.

This paper presents the results of an analysis of the existing seed sources managed by SE “Srbijašume”. A proposal has been given for new seed sources to be designated in forest areas. This paper highlights the significance of seed sources as a form of in situ conservation, as well as the necessity of establishing seed orchards as a form of ex situ conservation of forest genetic resources, which improves the mass production of reproductive material of forest trees characterized by good genetic quality.

T he paper describes t he conservation status of white poplar (Populus alba L.) and black poplar (Populus nigra L.) in the territory of Great War Island. The activities of in situ and ex situ gene pool conservation have been defined in order to preserve and expand the populations of the above species, as carriers of complex wetland forest ecosystems.