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In recent years, the degree of motorization and transport work have been expanding, while the development of infrastructure, road and street networks, has not followed their growth. Such an approach leads to an increasingly frequent imbalance of traffic demand and capacity, that is, to a state of the traffic system in which the existing network is not able to respond to all requests made by users. The paper analyzes the influence of the size of the city on start-up lost time at signalized intersections. Investigations were conducted for traffic lanes right at two signalized intersections, in Smederevska Palanka and Belgrade. The research results indicate that the loss values are higher by 2.78 seconds in Smederevska Palanka.

Introduction: Increased plasma concentrations of proinflammatory cytokines are found in chronic schizophrenia patients, patients with first episode and in individuals with high risk for psychosis. The most replicated findings are increased concentrations of IL-6, TNF-α and IL-1β through different phases of the disorder while the results for two important proinflammatory cytokines IL8 and IFN-γ were not consistent. Objectives: Primary objective of this study was to assess differences in concentrations of IL-8, IFN-γ and IL-1β between schizophrenia patients and healthy controls, Secondary objective was to explore differences in first episode drug naïve patients. Methods: We measured plasma concentrations of IL-8, IFN-γ and IL-1β in 64 healthy controls and 64 schizophrenia patients during acute exacerbation and remission phase. 25% were drug naive first episode schizophrenia patients. The patients were matched by age, sex and body mass index and exclusion criteria included obesity class 2 or higher, any concomitant organic mental or neurological disorder, acute or chronic inflammatory disease, and use of immunomodulatory drugs or psychoactive substances. Results: Levels of IL-8 were significantly lower in patients with schizophrenia in acute phase and remission compared to healthy controls (p=0,009 for acute phase and p=0,020 for remission). There was no significant difference in the levels of INF-γ and IL-β between schizophrenia in acute phase and remission and healthy controls (p>0,05). In schizophrenia patients there was no difference in the levels of INF-γ, IL-β and IL-8 between acute phase, remission and healthy controls (p>0,05). There was no difference in plasma levels of IL-8, IFN-γ and IL-1β between first episode drug naïve and previously treated schizophrenia patients. Conclusions: Our research did not find disturbance of plasma levels of IFN-γ and IL-1β in schizophrenia patients, although the increase of IL-1β was the most replicated finding up to date. Interestingly and contrary to expected the finding of significantly decreased levels of IL-8 in schizophrenia patients requires further research since IL-8 plays a vital role in the inflammatory pathway and may be implicated in cognitive dysfunction. Disclosure of Interest: None Declared [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The development of new therapeutic options focused on the recovery of patients with schizophrenia is primarily conditioned by elucidating the biological underpinnings of the disorder. The kynurenine pathway of tryptophan catabolism is the focus of psychiatric research since its catabolites have neuroactive properties, and one of the most important is the effect of kynurenic acid as the only endogenous NMDA receptor antagonist. According to the kynurenine hypothesis, there is an imbalance of excitatory and neuroprotective metabolites of the kynurenine pathway in patients with schizophrenia. It is postulated that excessive production of kynurenic acid leads to excessive blockade of NMDA glutamate and alpha-7 nicotinic receptors, acting as a trigger for the development of psychotic symptoms and neurocognitive deficits. This paper aims to review the kynurenine hypothesis of schizophrenia, important findings of studies exploring metabolites of the kynurenine pathway in patients with schizophrenia, and findings from the research on the potential impact of proinflammatory cytokines on the kynurenine pathway.

The article reviews the literature and presents principles for teaching foreign language in schools for the blind. Among principles are that blindness need not obstruct the process of learning a foreign language, that the best learning environment is a monolingual one, and that tactile and recorded materials can be integrated. (DB)

Flight testing is necessary in the process of showing compliance of the airplane with specific design requirements. Utva Aviation Industry performed numerous flight tests of Sova airplane in order to prove its safety. Along with airplane design, structure, performance and equipment, it was necessary to show compliance of the powerplant. In this paper there is the analysis of the flight tests of the powerplant cooling in the most critical climbing case with maximum ambient atmospheric temperature for which approval is requested. Flight test report results are presented with defined minimum speed for these conditions proving our four-seater meets all requirements in its category.

The European roller (Coracias garrulus) is an endangered species whose breeding in Serbia depends almost entirely on nest boxes. The aim of the present study was to assess the influence of prey availability and foraging habitat characteristics on nest-box occupancy and breeding parameters. Data from 20 roller foraging sites over 5 breeding seasons were used in a set of linear regression models to evaluate which factors affect the diversity and biomass of roller prey, as well as nest-box occupancy and breeding parameters. Our analyses revealed that prey availability parameters were significantly affected by the grazing regime and biophysical parameters. An area under grassland negatively affected nest-box occupancy, clutch size and fledging success. In contrast, grazing intensity showed positive effects. Although grazing negatively affected prey diversity and quantity, it potentially increased the likelihood of a successful hunt by forming short vegetation. These results indicate that the habitat characteristics linked to the ability of the species to hunt successfully should be considered when installing nest boxes as a part of the broader management of roller breeding sites. Furthermore, nest-box installation in open agricultural habitats other than grasslands should be considered in the conservation strategy for the species in Serbia.

Considering the well-known antioxidant properties of statins, it seems important to assess their impact on major markers of oxidative stress (superoxide anion radical, nitric oxide, and index of lipid peroxidation) to compare the antioxidative potentials of atorvastatin and simvastatin during the different degrees of hyperhomocysteinemia (HHcy) in rats. This study was conducted on adult male Wistar albino rats ( n = 90; 4 weeks old; 100 ± 15 g body mass) in which HHcy was achieved by dietary manipulation. For 4 weeks, the animals were fed with one of the following diets: standard rodent chow, diet enriched in methionine with no deficiency in B vitamins (folic acid, B6, and B12), or diet enriched in methionine and deficient in B vitamins (folic acid, B6, and B12). At the same time, animals were treated with atorvastatin at doses of 3 mg/kg/day i.p. or simvastatin at doses of 5 mg/kg/day i.p. Levels of superoxide anion radical and TBARS were significantly decreased by administration of simvastatin in normal and high-homocysteine (Hcy) groups ( p < 0.05). At 4 weeks after feeding with purified diets, the concentrations of the GSH, CAT, and SOD antioxidants were significantly affected among all groups ( p < 0.05). Our results indicated that statin therapy had variable effects on the redox status in hyperhomocysteinemic rats, and simvastatin demonstrated stronger antioxidant effects than did atorvastatin. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Overwinter survival of hibernators is directly influenced by the fat reserves accumulated during the active season. The European ground squirrel, Spermophilus citellus, an endangered flagship species of the open grasslands of central and southeastern Europe, is no exception. Considering anthropogenic changes affecting its habitats in northern Serbia, we studied the species’ feeding habits by subjecting its feces to microhistological examination. In addition to identifying plant remains in the feces, we examined the vegetation of the four study sites located inside a local mosaic of steppe and saline pastures. Our findings indicate that these remaining European ground-squirrel sites are diverse and stable grasslands covered by native flora that represents a complete dietary base for the species. The diet is dominated by a small number of plant species, specifically Achillea millefolium, legumes and grasses, with sporadic contributions from a number of other species. The diet of S. citellus also differs by location and season in that grasses dominate during the early season, while A. millefolium takes precedence later in the year. This dietary information is essential for the development of future species and habitat management strategies. In light of the predicted impact of climate change on grasslands in northern Serbia, our findings will be instrumental for translocations and conservation actions in the future.

Background/Aim. Periodontal tissue maintenance therapy is an important phase of the overall periodontal disease therapy. This paper aims to determine subgingival air-polishing efficacy with glycine powder in putative paropathogens reduction, plaque index, gingival bleeding index and probing depth. Methods. The study included 44 patients with aggressive periodontitis of both sexes, aged between 21 and 50, divided into two groups. Subgingival air-polishing was applied in the first group and sonic scaling in the control (second) group. Biofilm samples were taken from 5 deepest periodontal pockets before the therapy and 3 and 15 months after it. Paropathogens Aggreggatibacter actinomy-cetemcomitans, Porphyromonas gingivalis, Tannerella forsithya, Prevotella intermedia, Treponema denticola were detected by PCR analysis. Results. Paropathogens values were decreased after applied treatments. There was a statistically significant reduction in the mean value of full-mouth plaque (FMPS), from 43.00 to 14.90 (first group) and from 44.71 to 15.54 (second group), full-mouth bleeding score (FMBS) from 42.55 to 13.85 (first group) and from 43.04 to 15.17 (second group), as well as in probing depth from 3.40 to 2.64 (first group) and from 3.85 to 2.91 (second group), three months after the therapy. Conclusion. Subgingival air-polishing successfully reduces putative paropathogens and clinical parameters three months after the treatment.

Background/Aim. Osteoporosis is the most common metabolic bone disorder worldwide characterized by decreased bone strength that predisposes to an increased fracture risk, especially in postmenopausal women. Today, over 25 million people, mainly women, suffer from this metabolic disorder. In addition to genetic predispositions, hormonal disorders, lifestyle, and insufficient vitamin D levels in the blood are significant risk factors for the occurrence of osteoporosis and low-energy fractures. The aim of our study was to analyze the incidence of osteoporosis and the correlation between vitamin D deficiency and secondary hyperparathyroidism in women of different ages with low-energy fractures. Methods. This cross-sectional study included 559 women who were not previously treated for osteoporosis. All women were clinically examined and their anamnesis of chronic illnesses, fractures, and therapies was taken. Height and weight were measured, and body mass index (BMI) was calculated. Risk factors for osteoporosis, including the concentration of 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] and parathyroid hormone (PTH), were measured. Vitamin D deficiency was defined as serum level of 25(OH)D less than 30 ng/mL (75 nmol/L). Results. The study included a total of 559 women, of which low-energy fractures were identified in 102 women. Women with fractures were older (63.69 ± 13.88 years) compared to women without fractures (54.39 ± 14.10 years) (p < 0.0005). Furthermore, BMI was also higher (27.75 kg/m2) in women with fractures compared to the other group (26.49 kg/m2) (p < 0.025). Out of 102 women with fractures, 88 were postmenopausal. The most frequent fractures were the humerus and radius fractures, 11.62% (65/559), followed by femoral neck fractures, 7.15% (40/559), and body vertebrae fractures, 3.04% (17/559). A significant decrease of the bone mineral density (BMD) in the spinal and the femoral neck sites was observed in women with femoral neck and body vertebrae fractures, but not in women with humerus and radius fractures. Vitamin D deficiency did not have a significant impact on fracture incidence. The increased concentration of PTH was statistically significant in women with femoral neck and body vertebrae fractures. Conclusion. In women with all three types of low-energy fractures, compared to women without fractures, significant risk factors for osteoporosis were age, BMD, and the strength of mechanical force during fall (estimated through BMI).