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The COVID-19 pandemic caused unpredictable times and led to changes in tourism, sporting society, and events organisations. Sports events were postponed or cancelled. Indeed, there was a need to reconstruct the event circumstances for safety reasons. Therefore, this study aimed to provide insights into relationships between sports event quality, satisfaction, and behavioural intentions (repeated destination visits, positive word-of-mouth communication) during the implementation of COVID-19 security risk measures. The sample included 150 athletes from the U23 World Wrestling Championship organised in Belgrade, Serbia, in 2021. The sport event quality, satisfaction, and behavioral intentions were measured with a questionnaire. The proposed model was assessed using a confirmatory factor analysis with structural equation modeling using Smart PLS, SPSS, and AMOS. Results revealed a significant direct effect of the sport event quality (core dimension) and an indirect effect across satisfaction (tangibles and COVID-19 risk measures) on the athletes’ behavioural intentions. As wrestlers lived in a „bubble” and competed without spectators during the competition, it is not a surprise that the core dimension of service quality, including the competition itself, the opening ceremony, organisation, time schedule, medal ceremonies, and the total quality of the event, has a significant impact for wrestlers’ likelihood of coming back to the city or the country and to recommend the destination to others. Thisstudy contributes to advancing the general scientific knowledge concerning understanding sports events from the aspect of sports tourism and event organisation, especially in the post-COVID-19 era.

The aim of this paper is to highlight the role citizens' groups as democracy actors at the local level of governance. The author uses the statistical data analysis method and available findings related to the local elections' results in Serbia between 1992 and 2022. In the introduction, the author identifies the main assumptions of local democracy as the basis of a broader, society-wide democratization. The importance of local self-government and elections for the lowest instance the vertical organization of power is also addressed. The paper points to the normative framework regulating the establishment and action of citizens' groups on the political stage. In the central part of the paper, results of citizens' groups are analyzed for each election cycle, along with their participation in coalitions and exercise of local authority. The conclusion seeks to answer the research question raised and to provide some recommendation for the empowerment of citizens' groups as authentic local democracy actors.

Keeping in mind the geopolitical developments in the first decade of the 21st century, migrant crisis, armed conflicts in Ukraine and the Gaza Strip, North African political changes and conflicts in the West, politically motivated protests in Serbia in the course of 2022, 2023 and 2024, politically motivated criminal offences - political delicts, as a neglected and forgotten category are gaining in importance. Public appearances, actions and conducts of certain social and political groups or individuals, disrespecting and violating the general social norms, dominant political system, constitutional order or an official ideology and religion, and calling for violent changes in the political system have always caused a particular reaction of the power elites through the criminal legislation and state system. The reaction of the power elites to these phenomena throughout history has been condemning and has most often led to general stigmatization and the harshest sanctions. Throughout history, before the inception, as well as after the formation of the state as a social creation, all regulated societies have considered these conducts socially dangerous and harmful, due to which they have been condemned and incriminated by regulations. The danger of political delicts directed through history against the ruling structures, social and religious systems has manifested itself in relation to the existing religious and social communities, and also to the basic values on which it was established, and, by the same token, to individual members of these communities, social classes and political elites that have established, prescribed, protected and shared these values. In accordance with the foregoing, it is quite clear that a social reaction has been developed and built up to reveal itself in different historical periods and to find expression in various manifestations of different degrees of intensity - from disapproval to formal general condemnation and sanctions. When observed through early historical epochs, the development of the criminal legal protection of the religious and social values of the society, and subsequently of the state, as a social creation, has nonetheless indisputably shown, despite all perceived anomalies of the power elites' action, how politics manifested in terms of social and political repression, sometimes having both religious and ideological tint, has been finally subjected to law after all. One of the most important achievements of the European legal culture and thought from humanism and the Renaissance to the most recent times is the establishment of the concept and legal institute of political delict, as a privileged delict - criminal offence regulated by law, in terms of general and legal culture, despite the fact that it has been limited mainly to verbal political actions in democratic states. In contrast, other politically motivated criminal offences manifested as terrorism and extremism were removed from that structure at the end of the 20th century.

This paper will analyze the political dynamics of the last cycle of local elections in Serbia. We will refer to the existing institutional framework and the reforms in this field of electoral law that preceded the elections themselves. In this sense, the institutional paradigm will be applied in the first part to investigate the institutional context. The second section analyzes the broader socio-political context influencing turnout and election results. The third section pays attention to electoral actors, either individual parties or their coalitions. Minority parties that take part in the election game under special conditions through forms of positive discrimination are dealt with. The fourth section is devoted to forming local authorities, while a separate part is related to groups of citizens as separate political actors in local areas. The conclusion refers to the key findings of this research. Forming a particular whole with the local elections held in the city of Belgrade and another 65 municipalities, cities, and urban municipalities in central Serbia, on December 17, 2023, they showed a picture of the political scene of Serbia, its dynamics, actors at the national and local level, their strategies political struggles and, finally, electoral preferences citizens related to the political game in local political arenas. These elections were a test of sorts since they were held separately from the parliamentary elections at the end of 2023. They also provide an excellent basis for analyzing the political consequences of their separation from national elections, given that for half a year in several cities and municipalities, local elections were held simultaneously with national ones.

The subject of this paper is the analysis of the unique position and role of religion in the political thought of Renaissance theorist Nicollo Machiavelli. In the first part of the paper, we will briefly discuss the general framework of his political thought, situating it in the period in which it was harshly criticized due to strong Christian cultural influence. The second part will examine Machiavelli's understanding of religion, primarily based on its role in the development of the early Roman state. In the third part of the paper, we will compare Machiavelli's positions on religion and the legitimacy of political actions in relation to the fundamental political and ethical elements of his thought.

Radiotherapy plays a significant role in the multidisciplinary approach to treating prostate cancer patients. However, some of these patients may develop severe adverse effects after receiving radiotherapy that negatively affect their quality of life. Radiotoxicity may manifest in the lower gastrointestinal (GI) tract by damaging the rectum or bowel, or genitourinary (GU) tract, causing symptoms due to urethral, bladder or prostate damage. The probability of complications in normal tissue increases as the delivered radiation dose increases. However, there are patients with satisfactory dosimetric parameters who develop radiation toxicity and vice versa. Prediction models that take into account additional parameters to identify patients most susceptible to developing toxicity may serve as essential factors toward personalized radiotherapy. The main objectives are morbidity reduction and life-quality improvement. Changes in the cytokine levels could also be connected with the occurrence of acute gastrointestinal and genitourinary toxicity. Literature data indicate the association of numerous cytokines with the appearance of GI and GU toxicity. There is proof that TGF-b1 stimulates fibroblasts to generate extracellular matrix. According to the literature, IL-6 is regarded as one of the most important immune markers for predicting the radiotherapy-induced toxicity of normal tissues. Increased IL-6 concentrations in the serum during radiotherapy are significantly linked to a higher degree of acute genitourinary toxicity. The goal of this work is to summarize the results of contemporary research in which the connection between the occurrence of acute radiation toxicity and changes in the cytokines levels in the serum during radiotherapy were examined, considering the great future potential of the use of toxicity prediction factors in clinical practice. It can be concluded that radiation therapy, the development of an inflammatory process, and the occurrence of radiation toxicity are all related. However, further research with the aim of adequate stratification of patients for the development of an individualized approach to radiotherapy is required.

Artificial intelligence (AI) is transforming various sectors, and the judicial system is no exception. The author explores the impact of AI on practicing judicial professions. The integration of AI into judicial systems offers significant benefits in terms of efficiency, access to justice, and decision-making accuracy. However, it also poses challenges that need to be addressed through careful implementation, ethical considerations, and continuous adaptation. Although the use of the AI in the judiciary is on the rise and varies from country to country, it brings potential risks for fundamental rights. In the article, the author assessed whether the use of AI by judicial professionals jeopardize the right to a fair trial, including the right to an independent and impartial court, equality of parties, etc. The author also evaluates whether some of the introduced tools, especially those predicting court decisions and recidivism, violate fundamental rights. Finally, the author assesses options for further development and use of AI by judicial professions.

In this paper, the author analyzes legal institutes aimed at securing creditors' claims and the position of debtors and creditors in the Cres-Osor Statute in case of the debtor's failure to repay the debt. The Cres-Osor Statute pays particular attention to the pledge right and, in various ways, regulates the rules regarding the establishment of pledges on movable and immovable property, as well as the sale of pledged items and the settlement of creditors from their value. The paper provides an overview of the legal regulation of these institutes and their specific features and, based on the conducted analysis, critically evaluates the genesis of these institutes and the influence of Roman legal tradition on the development of securing claims in the legal provisions of the Cres-Osor Statute.

Serbia is a transit country for migrants on their way to the EU via the Western Balkan route. In 2015-2016, millions of migrants from Syria, Afghanistan, Iraq, Pakistan, and Somalia used the Western Balkan route to reach the EU countries. Serbia as the EU candidate country has to fulfil the requirement of cooperation with the EU in the area of managing migratory flows through efficient control of its borders jointly with the EU officers. In order for Serbia to reinforce the border management, it is important to understand the EU migration policy. Although the Tampere European Council Conclusion from 1999 and the European Agenda on Migration from 2015 declared the EU commitments to develop legal access to vulnerable individuals, in practice migration is perceived as a threat to security. As a result of this approach the preventive and repressive criminal law measures were introduced in the immigration law. The European member state authorities selectively use criminal law to achieve the migration policy goals. The criminal law measures that are applied across the EU are detention, arrest, police control, removal from the territory. However, there is criticism that these criminal law measures are not followed by criminal law guarantees, especially procedural rights and human rights protection instruments. The analysis is put in context of the Return Directive 2008/115 that sets the EU standards and procedures on return of illegally staying migrants. In this article the author analyses the effects of immigration criminalization and the development of the Court of Justice jurisprudence in relation to the procedural rights.

This study presents comparison of our recently formulated two compartmental model with General fractional derivative (GFD) and Korsmeyer–Peppas, Makoid–Banakar and Kopcha diffusion models. We have used our GFD model to study the release of gentamicin in poly (vinyl alcohol)/chitosan/gentamicin (PVA/CHI/Gent) hydrogel aimed for wound dressing in medical treatment of deep chronical wounds. The PVA/CHI/Gent hydrogel was prepared by physical cross linking of poly(vinyl alcohol)/chitosan dispersion using freezing-thawing method, and then was swollen for 48 h in gentamicin soluteion, at 37ºC. Different physicochemical (FTIR, SEM), mechanical and biological (cytotoxicity, antibacterial activity) properties have been determined. The concentration of released gentamicin was determined using a high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) coupled with mass spectrometry (MS). The ratio between concentration of released gentamicin and initial concentration of gentamicin in the hydrogel was monitored for the prolonged time period in order to obtain gentamicin release profile. It was proven that our novel diffusion GFD model better fitted to experimental data then other models, and enabled the determination of diffusion coefficient precisely for the entire time period.

The paper deals with representations of traditional culture and their fissures in Nađe Tešić's novel Shadow Partisan. The tangle of cultural symbolism, socio-historical dynamics and psychological dimensions shown in the novel is considered in an interdisciplinary key, through literary, cultural and ethnological-anthological readings. The goal of the research is to shed light on the influence of traditional culture patterns on the development of characters and the constitution of the story, as well as to look at the narrative processes that manifest the heroine's rebellion against traditional norms. The first part of the paper provides a theoretical framework for the study of traditional culture patterns and their influence on the constitution of the world of literary works. By the aspects of traditional culture in the novel we mean religious and spiritual practices, ritual-ordinary complexes, everyday rituals (such as culinary ones), folk medicine and folklore, oral folklore, legends and traditions, but also power relations and gender roles. The work also explores the complex interweaving of elements of traditional culture with the intimate world of the protagonist's upbringing. With regard to the genre determination - bildungsroman, the work also examines the social dynamics within the novel, clarifying how traditional culture provides a cultural framework for understanding the identity of the community to which the main character originally belongs. We come to the conclusion that in the novel the fissures of traditional culture and through them identity, spirituality and all the value-normative creations of the world of the novel are revealed narratively.

The provision of public services as a legal institute is applied in the legal system of the Republic of Serbia for the purpose of realizing rights and legal interests in the context of exercising the general interest, and at the same time represents one of the administrative matters prescribed in the Law on General Administrative Procedure. The provision of public services, as a legal institute, is introduced into the administrative and legal system of the Republic of Serbia by the adoption of the aforementioned law, and in accordance with the trend of harmonizing our legislation with the legal system of the European Union. This institute is regulated by the aforementioned law (Articles 31 and 32), through two articles. Its introduction into the administrative legal system shows the seriousness of the work of the public administration, and thus enables a safer and more favorable position of the parties in terms of meeting the needs of users of public services. Bearing in mind that the provision of public services through the system of introduction of E-administration represents a novelty in administrative procedure, the effects of the application of this institute in practice will be subject to consideration in order to further improve its normative framework. Public administration reform is one of the key processes of European integration, which at the same time represents a process that should improve the entire system of public administration in the Republic of Serbia, and therefore the quality of services that public administration provides to users of public services.

The aim of this work is the analysis of local elections in the Republic of Serbia, which, along with the national, parliamentary and provincial elections in Vojvodina, were held in 66 cities, municipalities and urban municipalities in central Serbia. The above - mentioned local elections were largely held at the initiative of the ruling party - SNS, and were called after early resignations of local leaders - in Belgrade under the strong pressure from a large part of the opposition public and in the other local self-governments they were held probably because of expectation of achieving very good results in specific local governments. These elections were an opportunity to measure the political strength of the ruling parties and the opposition from the national level, as well as minority parties and groups of citizens and local movements. Exceptional political dynamics in Serbia were also shown in these elections, and their full resolution was not achieved even months after they were held, but this election cycle was also an introduction to new political tensions and additional polarization, primarily in the capital, Belgrade.

Introduction. Presbycusis can have numerous consequences, particularly hearing impairment and impairment in oral communication, which can severely affect the psychological, emotional and social lives of older people. Numerous factors related to age-related hearing loss (time of onset, degree of hearing loss), as well as the wide range of socioeconomic factors, may contribute to the subjective perception of hearing impairment in individuals with presbycusis. In line with previous research on this topic, the question arises whether there is a difference between hearing aid users and non-users in the perception of hearing loss. Objective. To find out whether there is a difference in the subjective perception of hearing loss between people with presbycusis who use hearing AIDS and those who do not. Method. The sample consisted of 56 people diagnosed with presbycusis. Questionnaires for general demographic data, the Hearing Handicap Inventory for the Elderly Screening Version (HHIE-S) and the International Outcome Inventory -Hearing AIDS (IOI-HA) were used. Results. All individuals without amplification in this study had higher scores on the HHIE-S and confirmed hearing impairment, while 62.1% of those with amplification considered themselves disabled due to presbycusis. Hearing aid users generally had high scores on the IOI-HA, which leads us to conclude that hearing AIDS are extremely useful for the daily living and functioning of individuals with presbycusis. Conclusion. The results of the study emphasize the importance of using hearing AIDS in people with presbycusis, regardless of the degree of hearing loss and the age of the user.

The beginning of the 21st century has brought about a large number of security and political problems at the regional and global levels, ranging from the unilateral recognition of the so-called "Kosovo", military intervention in Ukraine, Israel's military intervention in Gaza Strip, a number of armed conflicts on the African soil to the radicalisation of the problem in the relations between China and Taiwan. In addition, the disintegration of the Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia (SFRY) was preceded by a large number of activities directed at destroying the constitutional order and security of the SFRY as well as of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia, the impacts of which are felt in the Republic of Serbia to this date. It is for that reason that this paper sets out some legal aspects of high treason in terms of attacking the constitutional order and security, and calling for a violent change of the constitutional order of the Republic of Serbia, as one of the forms of repressive activities and criminal legal protection of the constitutional order and security, or protection of the existence of the state itself, which is an equally important legal issue in the 20th and 21st century alike. It should be noted that the treatment of the problem area of high treason has been neglected in both theory and practice. Thus this paper gives a review of historical development of legal aspects of high treason through the prism of protecting the constitutional order of Serbia. Within the critical examination of the current legislation, the paper provides a detailed analysis of the provisions of Article 308. (Attack against the Constitutional Order) and Article 309. (Calling for a Violent Change of the Constitutional Order) of the Criminal Code of the Republic of Serbia; the same applies to the necessary extent to the provisions of Article 319. (Conspiracy against the Constitutional Activity), Article 320. (Preparation of acts against the Constitutional Order and Security of Serbia) and Article 321. (Serious Offences against the Constitutional Order and Security of Serbia). The paper also points to some interesting solutions we find in the comparative law.

Introduction/Objective. The main aim of this study was to assess COVID-19 vaccination effectiveness (VE) of BBIBP-CorV, Gam-COVID-Vac, BNT162b2, and ChAdOx1-nCoV-19 in Serbia during the first three months of rollout. Methods. The data from the Serbian National Immunization Registry, the Primary Health Centre Report, and the University Clinical Centre Report for Kragujevac, Serbia, for the period from January 1 to March 31, 2021 were used to compare COVID-19 vaccinated population to unvaccinated individuals in terms of laboratory confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection, COVID-19-related hospitalization and intensive care unit (ICU) admission due to COVID-19. VE was estimated based on the incidence rate ratio, adjusted for age and sex. Results. Overall VE after the first dose reached 20.6%, 28.2%, and 56.1%, and 55.7%, 63.9%, and 79.8%, after the second dose for SARS-CoV-2 infection, COVID-19-related hospitalization, and ICU admission, respectively. BNT162b2 exhibited 96.7% VE against infection and no hospitalization after the second dose. Complete vaccination with BBIBP-CorV and Gam-COVID-Vac demonstrated VE of 43.2% and 78.6% against infection, 56.9% and 85.3% against hospitalization, and 82.3% and 52.7% against ICU admission, respectively. ChAdOx1-nCoV-19 after the first received dose showed VE of 10.3% and 74.7% against infection and hospitalization, with no ICU admission. Conclusion. COVID-19 vaccination in general, as well as each of the four studied vaccines, reduces the risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection, hospitalization due to COVID-19, and COVID-19-related ICU admission. Vaccine effectiveness significantly increases with the second received dose for all study outcomes.

Polyphenolic compounds have shown various beneficial effects on human health as well as certain bioactivities such as interactions with dietary fiber. Factors that can influence their interactions with dietary fibers include the pH value, the polyphenolic compound concentration and compound stability. The aim of this work was to study the interactions between the polyphenolic compound catechin and the dietary fiber zymosan A from yeast through investigation of the adsorption process. The catechin stability and the influence of concentration and pH value on interactions were investigated. Catechin showed the lowest stability at pH 7.0 with degradation ratio from 6 to 15 %. The lowest adsorption capacity was at pH 7.0, then higher in water and the highest at pH 1.5. A Dubinin–Radushkevich adsorption model fit to the data and FTIR analysis indicates the presence of physical interactions between catechin and zymosan A. This study can contribute to better understanding of interactions of polyphenols and dietary fiber for possible design of functional food, or to increase bioaccessibility of polyphenols.

The definition and, more broadly, understanding of the notion of the intangible cultural heritage in the UNESCO Convention for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage is fundamentally laid down from the positions of culture and is based on anthropological and, in general, cultural understandings of heritage. Such an approach does not directly involve the economic aspects of the intangible cultural heritage, even when it relates to its safeguarding. The suppression of the economic aspect is quite expected in the cultural paradigm, but in the world of the dominant market economy, which shapes lifestyles in many societies, it seems like a disregard for reality. The safeguarding of many elements of the intangible heritage is directly correlated with the economic system of the community that practice some intangible cultural heritage. Here, the basic principles of safeguarding the intangible cultural heritage in given economic conditions are problematized, i.e. safeguarding risk factors that come from the economic sphere of life of the community that is the bearer of cultural practices. The paper seeks to consider through an economic perspective the collision of striving towards the preservation of cultural heritage and the need of the community to survive in given economic and social circumstances. It is based on research into the culture of economic behaviour and intangible cultural heritage, and the basic approach is economic anthropological.

Introduction. Infantile hemangiomas (IHs) are the most common vascular tumors of infancy whose frequency increases with decreasing gestational age. Although rare, periorbital IHs (PIHs) have a high complication rate, with a substantial risk of impaired vision and aesthetic consequences. Because they are considered high-risk IH, such patients must be treated. In the available literature, there is little information about the treatment o f I Hs in very and extremely preterm newborns and infants. Case report. We present three male infants (one very and two extremely prematurely born) with PIHs involving the upper eyelid. In all three cases, IHs were solitary but with different subtypes according to soft-tissue depth (superficial, combined, deep). No additional congenital anomalies were found in any of these cases. An individualized approach to the management of each patient was applied. All infants were treated with oral administration of propranolol, with careful monitoring for potential side effects of the drug and adjustment of treatment, following their eventual occurrence. The introduction of oral propranolol was carried out in a hospital setting, with a gradual increase of the drug dose until the target dose was reached. Conclusion. In the case of PIH, an ophthalmologist is an inevitable part of the medical team. Very and extremely preterm infants are already under the supervision of an ophthalmologist due to mandatory screening for retinopathy of prematurity; how-ever, if they also have PIHs, monitoring must be particularly detailed and long-lasting.

This paper will present a comparative analysis of two major materialist conceptions of the origin of the state, namely, those of Lewis Morgan and Friedrich Engels. The first part of the paper will offer a brief overview of the 17th century origins of this theory: the philosophical attempts to establish how the state came to be. Thereafter, we will look at how Morgan's innovative approach enabled tremendous progress on this issue, offering, if not the answer to the question of the state's origin, then at least the means of reaching it. The central part of the paper will present Engels' attempt to create a theory of his own, featuring aspects of both Marx's and Morgan's thought: in this regard, we will focus on the fundamental elements that are shared between Morgan's and Engels' theories. Finally, the subject of the last part of the paper will be the divergence between the two authors: here, we will examine the theoretical limitations of Engels' attempt to surpass Morgan's work and point to a number of errors that proceeded therefrom.

From 1912 to 1948, eighteen hundred artists participated in art competitions within the Olympic Games. Art competitions were held at the following Olympic Games during the period from 1912 to 1948: Stockholm (1912), Antwerp (1920), Paris (1924), Amsterdam (1928), Los Angeles (1932), Berlin (1936), and London (1948). The introduction of art competitions at the Olympic Games was intended to integrate sport and art, spirit and body, and at the same time as a reminder of the cultural values and ideals represented in Ancient Greece. Prominent artists of that era served as judges for the artworks. The aim of this study is to present artistic disciplines from 1912 to 1948, to determine how many works of art, from which field of art, were inspired by sports events, primarily those related to the disciplines of athletic competitions of the analyzed period. At the Cultural Olympiad, from 1912 to 1948, the largest number of medals were awarded for paintings and graphic art (a total of 38 (applied graphics 5, drawings and watercolors 8, other graphic arts 9, paintings 16 medals)), sculpture (a total of 34 (10 medals awarded for medals, 3 for reliefs, and 21 for sculptures)), followed by literature (a total of 29 (dramatic works 1, epic works 9, literature - all kinds 11, lyrics 8 medals)), architecture (a total of 28 (architectural designs 12, designs for town planning 16)), music (a total of 17 (compositions for one instrument 2, compositions for orchestra of all kinds 7, compositions of songs for soloists or choir with or without instrumental accompaniment 4, music - all kinds 4)). When the number of medals awarded for artistic works inspired by athletic events is separated, the most are those from sculpture (7 medals), architecture (4 medals), painting and graphics (3 medals), literature (3 medals), music (1 medal).

Introduction: Due to the established role of oxidative stress in the pathophysiology of COVID-19, it has been proposed that inter-individual differences in patients' clinical manifestations might be affected by variations in genes encoding antioxidant enzymes, such as glutathione S-transferases (GSTs). Aim: The aim of this study was to assess the association of polymorphisms in cytosolic GSTs (GSTA1 rs3957357, GSTM3 rs1332018 and GSTP1 rs1695) with inflammatory parameters (leukocytes, lymphocytes, monocytes, C-reactive protein (CRP), fibrinogen, ferritin) and multiorgan impairment biomarkers (urea, creatinine, AST, ALT, LDH) in COVID-19 patients at two-time points. Material and methods: GSTM3, GSTA1 and GSTP1 genotypes were determined in 150 COVID-19 patients by appropriate polymerase chain reaction (PCR) methods. Results: Inflammatory biomarkers (leukocytes, lymphocytes, monocytes) increased 7 days upon admission to the hospital (p < 0.001), while CRP and fibrinogen decreased (p < 0.001). Out of five analyzed multiorgan impairment biomarkers, only urea increased significantly 7 days upon admission (p < 0.007), while AST showed a statistically significant drop (p < 0.001). COVID-19 patients homozygous for variant GSTM3*C/C genotype had increased levels of inflammatory biomarkers such as CRP, fibrinogen and ferritin, but the borderline significance was observed only for fibrinogen (p = 0.057). COVID-19 patients homozygous for variant GSTM3*C allele had the highest levels of ALT (p = 0.021) and LDH (p = 0.045) upon admission. Conclusion: Our results on the association between GSTM3 variant genotype with parameters of systemic inflammation and liver damage in COVID-19 patients can contribute to further understanding of pathophysiological mechanisms underpinning this disease, as well as early recognition of COVID-19 patients prone to worse course of the disease.

Utilization possibilities of solidified fractions of industrial hazardous waste obtained by mixing with inert materials in construction were investigated. Waste mineral oils, water-hydrocarbon emulsions mixture, and waste filter cakes from the physico-chemical treatment of wastewater generated by washing of patterned rollers for a printing machine, were used as models of industrial hazardous waste in the solidification process. Investigation comprised preparation of concrete and asphalt mixtures for further testing. The solidified powder was analyzed regarding the granulometric composition, while the obtained concrete samples were further subjected to compressive strength determination, whereas the asphalt mixtures were tested in the context of potential waterproofing materials. According to the obtained leaching test results, all the samples met the required conditions for further application. Compressive strength test results were in the range of 8.7-22.6 MPa. Still, the measured compressive strength values were lower than expected, which is explained using solidified powder fractions of smaller grain size. According to the results, it can be concluded that the investigated mixtures cannot be used for structural building elements, but their usage is recommended for elements such as pavements, roadside, path cubes, concrete haberdashery, etc. Asphalt mixtures showed acceptable properties in terms of mechanical, durability, and waterproofing tests.

Introduction/Objective. Vitamin D not only plays a role in calcium and phosphorus metabolism, but also has antiproliferative, prodifferentiation, anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory effects. The aim of this study was to investigate the association between vitamin D deficiency in individuals with autoimmune Hashimoto’s thyroiditis. Methods. A total of 156 patients were enrolled and divided into two groups. First group included 108 patients with 25 (OH) D insufficiency, and second included 48 individuals with normal 25 (OH) D levels. All participants underwent a detailed clinical examination, laboratory tests for thyroid function [T3, fT4, TSH, thyroid antibodies (TPO-Ab, and TG-Ab)], as well as ultrasound scanning (thyroid volume and Doppler characteristics). Results. The patients with vitamin D insufficiency (n = 108 (69.2%)) were predominantly female and had a higher body mass index than the patients with normal vitamin D levels. The group with vitamin D insufficiency had statistically significantly higher TSH levels. The prevalence of positive thyroid antibodies was higher in the vitamin D insufficiency group, while thyroid volume, superior thyroid artery, and inferior thyroid arteries resistance index, as well as the prevalence of positive circular dichroism signals, were significantly higher in the vitamin D insufficiency group. Out of the 156 subjects, 44 were diagnosed with thyroiditis (28.2%). The mean serum level of 25 (OH) D was statistically notably lower in patients with thyroiditis (20.23 ± 8.10 ng/mL) than in the group without thyroiditis (25.44 ± 8.38 ng/mL), p < 0.001. Conclusion. There was an association between vitamin D insufficiency and hypothyroidism in subjects with Hashimoto’s thyroiditis.

The present paper focuses on teacher’s role in social justice and explores how teachers perceive and react upon diversity and inequality in their classrooms. Through a literature review, we aimed to answer three research questions: 1) what are diversity awareness and critical consciousness in education; 2) why are diversity awareness and critical consciousness important; and 3) how can diversity awareness and critical consciousness be supported in teachers. The literature review has revealed that most papers on teachers’ diversity awareness and critical consciousness have been published within the last few years and that the importance of the two concepts has been recognized for a wide range of educators. There seems to be a growing interest in this topic due to the increase of the diversity in classrooms and the recognition of the teachers’ role in addressing diversity and inequality. However, large-scale studies would be a needed contribution to the field, as most of the existing studies are small-scale. Based on this review, we argue that both diversity awareness and critical consciousness need to be supported through preservice and in-service teacher professional development programs, if we are to make education systems more inclusive for all.

Considering that mythology and storytelling are an integral part of the human experience, in this paper we will take a look at contemporary iterations of certain archetypal myths. While the authors do not espouse the idea that “science fiction is the mythology of modern society”, we believe that there is something to be said about popular culture as a medium of narrative transmission in post-industrialist society. In this sense, the paper analyses the utilization of origin myths in post-apocalyptic science fiction movies: Waterworld (1995), The Matrix franchise (four installments 1999-2021), Wall-E (2008), the Mad Max franchise (four installments 1979-2015), among others. Common to all of these narratives is that they are set after a global catastrophe that frames the “Earth before” as a paradise that was lost due to human agency. Some of these narratives also feature a search for the remnants of that lost world (most notably Waterworld and Mad Max: Fury Road), as well as “lesser” origin myths that pertain to groups of survivors themselves (e.g. Mad Max: Beyond Thunderdome). In the context of current debates on the Anthropocene, an era rapidly leading towards a global catastrophe, and following Donna Haraway’s work on storytelling, we believe that the act of telling these stories, and the ways in which they are told is of vital importance if we, as a species, are to survive. Furthermore, post-apocalyptic science fiction offers not only a warning but also possible outcomes exemplified through new, emerging and different naturecultures. These naturecultures range from the emergence of new and better adept bodies of a minority (which triggers stigma), to bodies which are increasingly dependent on other actants, e.g., AI. We argue that within the genre of science fiction these novel postapocalyptic naturecultures are framed as imperfect, and that such framing strengthens the myth of Earth before the apocalypse as a lost paradise. Consequently, posthumanist bodies are seen in a Biblical manner as bodies “after the Fall”, rather than as bodies which have not only the potential to survive but also to prevent the catastrophe.

Introduction/Objective. The duration of vaccine-induced protection against SARS-CoV-2 is shown to be limited. The aim of this study was to assess vaccine effectiveness (VE) of a third dose of four different COVID-19 vaccines during Delta variant predominance in Serbia. Methods. The data for the period from August 18, to October 1, 2021 were used to estimate the incidence rates (IR) of the SARS-CoV-2 infection, COVID-19-related hospitalization, and intensive care unit (ICU) admission. The study included 41,186 fully vaccinated subjects, of which 13,589 had received the third dose. VE was estimated based on the IR ratio following vaccination with three vs. two doses. Results. We found that a third dose of all investigated vaccines reduces the incidence of both SARS-CoV-2 infection and severe illness that requires hospitalization or ICU admission. The highest VE against infection demonstrated BNT162b2, followed by Gam-COVID-Vac and BBIBP-CorV. Third dose vaccination reduced the risk of hospitalization (IR = 0 for Gam-COVID-Vac and BBIBP-CorV), and ICU admission (IR = 0 for all vaccines). The hazard distributions for SARS-CoV-2 infection and hospitalization following vaccination with three versus two doses were significantly different. Conclusion. These findings indicate that an additional, third dose of studied vaccine boosters protection against all investigated outcomes.

Background/Aim. The iliopsoas muscle [musculus (m.) iliopsoas] originates from the Greek word psóa, which means loin and represents the only muscle in the body with anatomical preconditions to simultaneously and directly contribute to the stability and movement of the trunk, pelvis, and legs. M. iliopsoas belongs to the inner thigh muscle group and forms part of the posterior abdominal wall. This muscle is the major flexor of the hip joint, and it is functionally essential for proper posture, walking, running, and other physical activities. The aim of this study was to determine the relationship between the anatomical parameters of the pelvis and nervus (n.) femoralis, as well as the relationship between the same pelvic parameters and m. psoas major. Methods. The study was conducted at the Faculty of Medicine, University of Belgrade, on cadaveric material of the Institute of Anatomy “Niko Miljanić”. For measurement purposes, 14 cadavers were used, seven of which were male and seven female, aged 67–79 years. The measuring instruments used in this study were a ruler and an electronic digital caliper (measuring range 0–500 mm, resolution 0.01 mm). Statistical data processing was performed in the SPSS 11.0 program using the Mann-Whitney U test. Results. The results of this study indicate a significant statistical difference in pelvic width between male and female cadavers, which was observed in the reduction of the bituberal line in females, while the parameters of the bispinal line showed no significant difference between the two genders. The decrease of the bituberal line in females was followed by an increase in the width of the proximal origin with a statistically significant decrease in the length of the proximal origin of the m. psoas major. Furthermore, the vertical distance of n. femoralis from the exit point of the muscle to the bispinal line was significantly reduced in the male cadavers. Conclusion. Based on our results, we can assume that, in most cases, due to the smaller bituberal and bispinal line or narrower pelvis, a shorter proximal attachment of the m. psoas major will occur with greater width (L2–L5 level) in the female than in the male gender, resulting in a longer vertical distance of n. femoralis. Such results indicate a close correlation between the anatomical parameters of the m. psoas major, which may affect the distance of n. femoralis exit from the muscle.

The paper is based on the findings of the research of students of business administration in the countries of the Western Balkans and aims to identify the impact of entrepreneurial barriers on their intentions to start entrepreneurial ventures. Barriers are classified into four categories. The first category is knowledge and skill barriers. The second group of barriers includes financial barriers. Subjective circumstances represent the third, and administrative procedures and fiscal burdens are the fourth groups of barriers. The research was conducted with 910 respondents, which consists of 71 questions. For the analysis, 6 questions related to the demographic profile and general information were used, while for the second part, 14 were used, which belong to the categories of barriers. The SPSS program was used for the empirical analysis of the results. The results showed that financial barriers, administrative procedures, and fiscal burdens harm entrepreneurial intentions. Within the group of barriers of knowledge and skills, the lack of business plan development skills and the lack of financial skills harm entrepreneurial aspirations, while the other barriers are not statistically significant. It was confirmed that statistically significant barriers to entrepreneurial intentions belong to subjective circumstances: lack of support from the environment and fear of failure.

The article provides comprehensive overview of the diverse landscape of supreme courts across Europe, offering insights into varying structures and functions they embody across different countries. It analyses supreme courts as the only supreme judicial institution or as a part of a broader supreme court system alongside supreme administrative court and/or constitutional courts. The article highlights the diversity in organization of supreme justice and offers a glimpse into a larger project on comparative supreme justice, indicating in-depth analysis of various factors such as the position of supreme courts in different states, recruitment process and the courts' competencies on the European scale. The article provides valuable insights into the complex and multifaceted nature of supreme courts in Europe. Its approach to presenting specific examples enables a deeper understanding of the topic, making it a useful resource for readers interested in comparative legal systems and judicial structures in different countries. The paper identifies impact of filter model on a Supreme Court's workload and efficiency of the Court, as well as on the structure. Furthermore, it refers to possible shortcomings of filter model and the jurisprudence of the European Court of Human Rights in that regard.

Limited bone bank capacity and risk of infection are some of the main drawbacks of autologous and allogenic grafts, giving rise to synthetic materials for bone tissue implants. The aim of this study was to process and evaluate the mechanical properties and bioactivity of magnesium and strontium doped hydroxyapatite (HAp) scaffolds and investigate the effect of adding zirconium oxide and gelatine coating the scaffolds. Doped nanosized hydroxyapatite powder was synthesized by the hydrothermal method and the scaffolds were made by the foam replica technique and sintered at different temperatures. Yttria-stabilized zirconium oxide (YSZ), synthesized by plasma technology, was used as reinforcement of calcium phosphate scaffolds. Element analysis, phase composition, morphology of the powders and microstructure of the scaffolds were investigated, as well as the compressive strength of the coated and uncoated scaffolds and bioactivity in simulated body fluid (SBF). A microporous structure was achieved with interconnected pores and bioactivity in SBF was confirmed in all cases. The best mechanical properties were given by the coated composite HAp/YSZ scaffolds, withstanding average stresses of over 1019 kPa. These results encourage the idea of use of these scaffolds in bone regenerative therapy and bone tissue engineering.

In this paper, the previously synthesized Cu(II) complex ([CuL1(N3) (CH3OH)]BF4) with N,N,N-trimethyl-2-oxo-2-(2-(1-(thiazol-2-yl)ethylidene)- hydrazinyl)ethan-1-aminium chloride, has been characterized and its biological activity has been studied in detail. The Cu(II) complex consists of ligand coordinated in a deprotonated, formally neutral zwitter-ionic form, via NNO atoms, one azido ligand and one methanol molecule. The Cu(II) complex was selected due to results of the cytotoxic activity, the brine shrimp test and DPPH radical scavenging activity, which were previously performed. The effects of Cu(II) complex on cell cycle phase distribution of cervical adenocarcinoma HeLa cells were investigated in order to examine the mechanisms of its anticancer activity. The measurement of intracellular ROS levels in HeLa and HaCaT cell lines were evaluated in order to explore their possible generation and the role in cytotoxic activity. The possible anti-invasive and anti-angiogenic properties of Cu(II) complex were evaluated. DNA binding experiments, including fluorescence displacement study and DNA cleavage experiments, were performed in order to obtain information on the type of DNA-metal complex interactions.

There are plenty of challenges brought by modern society. Globalisation, modernisation, transition processes, social conflicts and off-the-charts development of technology have resulted in the world changing at overwhelming rates on a daily basis. In such circumstances, the individual finds himself/herself alienated from society. The aim of this paper is to analyse the complexities of the phenomenon of alienation in political theory, as a significant indicator of the collapse of democratic institutions. Following a detailed analysis of theories that are relevant for understanding political alienation, the paper at the same time presents experiences and perspectives of relevance for comprehending political alienation in the Republic of Serbia.

Interleukin-6 (IL-6) is a pleiotropic cytokine involved in the regulation of cell growth and differentiation exerting an important role in the immune and inflammatory response. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of three increasing concentrations of IL-6 (1 pg/mL, 5 pg/mL, and 10 pg/mL) on cell viability, redox homeostasis parameters (O2∙, NO2-, glutathione) and migratory potential in human trophoblast cell line JEG-3 under chemically induced hypoxia in short-term (24 h) and long-term (72 h) exposure. The obtained results show a dose-dependent reduction of cell viability and NO levels, while the concentration of O2 ∙increased. Levels of total glutathione increased in a dose-dependent manner compared to control cells, suggesting its significant antioxidative contribution in hypoxic conditions. The migratory potential of cells was significantly elevated in the two highest applied doses implying the disturbance of cell invasive homeostasis at its pathological concentrations, which could represent a risk factor in some pregnancy disorders.

Lunaria annua L. (Brassicaceae) in contrast to its name is a biennial plant native to the Balkans and southwest Asia. This research aimed to evaluate the composition of phenolic compounds (total phenolics, phenolic acids, flavonoids, flavonols, and gallotannins) of methanolic extracts of the aboveground parts (LAA) and roots (LAR) of L. annua, as well as antioxidant, antigenotoxic and anti-inflammatory properties of the extracts in vitro. LAA was richer in all groups of phenolics in comparison to LAR. LAA also had higher antioxidant potential except for the inhibition of lipid peroxidation. LAA and LAR showed inhibition of cyclooxygenase-1 and -2 (COX-1 and -2) enzymatic activities. The anti-inflammatory potential of L. annua extracts was outstanding, especially regarding COX-2 inhibition. Presented findings can lead to the isolation of compounds in L. annua responsible for this plant's remarkable anti-inflammatory properties.

Introduction: Inflammation plays a key role in the process of atherosclerosis, its formation, progression and destabilization of plaque. One of the main mediators of inflammation is white blood cells (WBC), whose number increases significantly during inflammation. Aim: The aim of this study was to determine the effect of WBC count at admission on early and long-term mortality in patients with ST segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) treated with primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). Material and methods: A total of 700 consecutive STEMI patients admitted for primary PCI were included in our study. The patients included in the study were divided into two groups: group with normal and group with elevated WBC count. A leukocyte count >11000 / mm3 was considered elevated. Patients were followed-up at 30-days and at 1-year after enrollment. Results: Out off the 700 STEMI patients treated with primary PCI, 665 had WBC count data available at admission and were included in further analysis. From this number, elevated WBC count was registered in 380 patients (57.14%). Patients with increased WBC count were younger and smokers. Observing the characteristics of patients at admission, patients with elevated WBC count had a lower ejection fraction, higher CPK values as well as a higher incidence of heart failure. Thirty-day as well as 1-year mortality were significantly higher in patients with elevated WBC count. Patients with elevated WBC count were at three-fold higher risk for 30day mortality and at two-fold higher risk for 1-year morality. Conclusion: Patients with elevated WBC counts at admission had higher 30-day and 1-year mortality compared with patients with normal WBC counts. The WBC count was an independent predictor of thirty-day and one-year mortality.

The widespread dependence on digital systems and increased value of digital commerce in the metaverse boosted cyber vulnerability. The cybercrime will be more profitable than the global trade of all major illegal drugs combined, while Cybersecurity Ventures expects global cybercrime costs to grow by 15 percent annually by 2025. Cybercrime changed traditional money laundering methods which is difficult to detect since it could be committed from anywhere in the world. The threat posed by cybercrime money laundering methodologies has been aggravated by the Covid-19 pandemic. To investigate cyber laundering the e-evidence are crucial, which is confirmed by the EU Commission estimate that 85 percent of criminal investigations require electronic evidence. Additional challenge for law enforcement authorities presents the fact that the organised cybercrime is joining forces and their likelihood of detection and prosecution is estimated to be 0.05 percent in the USA. Furthermore, the digital evidence is often held by service providers as private companies based in another country, which causes many obstacles to access to those data by investigative and law enforcement authorities. The paper identifies impact of Covid-19 on cybercrime and increased risks of cyber laundering. In relation to investigation and prosecution of cyber money laundering, the paper analyzes challenges for investigative authorities to gather data and evidence in cyber money laundering cases and efforts of EU and USA authorities to facilitate access to digital evidence and relevant data stored by service providers. The paper refers to possible shortcomings of proposed instruments and need for efficient response and adaptation to changes in the cybercrime.

INTRODUCTION: The ratio of neutrophils-lymphocytes (NLR) and platelet-lymphocytes (PLR) is a new parameter in the assessment of patients with Hashimoto's thyroiditis OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of NLR and PLR in patients with Hashimoto's thyroiditis MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this cross-sectional study, subjects were subjected to tests of thyroid gland function, antithyroid antibodies, as well as laboratory analyzes of blood count with determination of NLR and PLR. The respondents were grouped into two groups. The first group was patients with Hashimoto's thyroiditis (HT), while the second group consisted of healthy individuals who represented the control group. RESULTS: NLR was statistically significantly higher in patients with HT compared to the control group (2.62±0.8 and 2.43±0.8, respectively; p=0.02), while PLR was higher in people with HT compared to the control group, but without statistical significance significance (169±42.5; 159±40.3; p=0.08). Among the examined patients with HT, the group with hypothyroidism showed statistically higher NLR values compared to the group of patients with euthyroid status (2.7±0.9 ; 2.31±0.7 p=0.03). Among the examined patients with HT, the group with hypothyroidism showed statistically higher PLR values compared to the group of patients with euthyroid status, as well as the group with subclinical hypothyroidism (177.8±48.2; 148.3±39.3; 155.5±42.5 p=0.04). NLR and PLR show a statistically significant positive correlation with the level of TSH, Anti TPO and TG At in the group with HT. CONCLUSION: NLR and PLR can serve as practical and valuable markers of the clinical course of the disease, but also markers of autoimmune diseases that progress with chronic inflammation.

The Belgrade Marathon has been held since 1988 and has the longest tradition in the Western Balkans region. The trend in the number of participants in the Belgrade Marathon showed a significant increase in the 2007-2019 period. In addition to the global increase in the number of participants, a decreasing performance trends in marathon races has been noticed. The aim of this paper was to determine the trends in the performances of participants from Serbia in the Belgrade Marathon in the 2007-2019 period. The general cognitive assumption was that with an increase in the number of participants led to a decline in the average performance in the race. The results on the official website of the Belgrade Marathon were used as a source of data for this non-experimental study. All performances of the marathoners from Serbia (n = 3554) in the period 2007-2019 were analyzed. Linear regression analysis was used to assess the trend of the performances of all marathoners from Serbia, their distribution according to age groups by every 10 years, as well as the performances of the 10 first-ranked athletes in total and in each of the groups. The linear trend model on the sample of all marathoners from Serbia has shown that the performance became significantly worse over the years i.e., by 2:14 minutes per year. The trend of a significant decline in performance, ranging from 1:52 to 3:02 minutes per year, has been observed in all age groups of up to 50 years. The linear trend models obtained on the subsamples of the 10 first-ranked men in each of the analyzed age groups did not exceed the level of statistical significance, except in the group of males aged 50-60, where a significant performance trends improvement by 2:10 minutes a year was determined. The performances of competitors from Serbia at the Belgrade Marathon were declining in the examined period, along with a simultaneous increase in the number of participants in this event. It can be assumed that the average performance is declining due to an increasing number of recreational runners participating in the marathon, while the number of categorized runners is not increasing significantly, which in a way reflects conservatism and unchangeability within athletic long-distance races and marathon running events.

Introduction. Infantile hemangiomas (IHs) occur 3 to 4 times more frequently in preterm infants than in those born at term. Yet, data about efficacy and safety of topical therapy for IHs in preterm infants, especially in those born with very low gestational age (less than 33 gestational weeks) is very scarce. Case report. We reported five very preterm girls treated with topical timolol maleate 0.5% gel for superficial cutaneous IHs. In four infants topical timolol was applied on a single IH each, and in one infant two IHs were treated. Out of six treated IHs, one was located on the face, four on the trunk and one on the leg. They were regularly monitored for IH involution and potential adverse effects of timolol for 6–13 months of local treatment. Good therapeutic effect was achieved in all the presented infants, with no adverse effects related to topical administration of timolol-maleate. Conclusion. Topical timolol is an effective and safe therapy for superficial cutaneous infantile hemangiomas in very preterm infants. The treatment should be discussed in detail with parents and individualized management plan should be tailored for each infant in order to maximize the chances of a successful outcome, while avoiding adverse effects.