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The beginning of the 21st century has witnessed a growth in our understanding of the importance of planning urban landscapes in the context of urban population growth and unpredictable climatic conditions. In the search for responses to the challenges set by the development of contemporary urban landscapes, researchers have offered solutions based on the concept of sustainable and resilient cities, whose spatial development would be based on an interdisciplinary approach to strategy development: biodiversity, urban ecological networks and connectivity, multifunctionality and modularity. Although the concepts of a green infrastructure, in their spatial and functional dimensions, allow the application of such strategies, there are still problems when it comes to implementation and measuring the results achieved. At the same time, there is a growing discussion of the important role played by urban forestry in the context of the collaborative planning of urban landscapes and the application of the ideas of a green infrastructure. The key question is: what are the modalities of application of the concept of green infrastructure in the process of planning the development of the modern city and how can the resulting benefits be evaluated? With the modalities of application of the concept of green infrastructure in mind, we discuss its multi-scale and multifunctional dimensions as applied in the case of Serbia. The realisation of the green infrastructure concept is presented through the example of the Urban Forest Management Plan for the City of Belgrade - Mladenovac Municipality. The results of using the spatial-ecological approach in creating the plan and establishing connectivity as a new aim in forest management planning show that the implementation of the green infrastructure concept, and the achieved multifunctional ecosystem values, can be presented on the basis of the parameters of landscape metrics. In light of the new urban world, future research should focus on the application of the landscape ecological approach of the green infrastructure concept in collaborative planning at the urban landscape scale, which allows the creation of ecosystem services and benefits to human well-being.

Revegetation is the most sustainable method of soil stabilization at ski runs. In order to establish a stable plant community, it is recommended to use native species. However, non-native species are most often used. In this paper the revegetation of ski runs at two ski resorts is investigated: Divčibare and Stara Planina. Seven species were used for the revegetation of the ski run at the Divčibare ski resort of which six species were native. Six species were used for the revegetation of the Stara Planina ski resort, of which two species were native. It was established that the plant species used in the seed mixtures were suitable for erosion control at the investigated ski resorts.

In many parts of the world, the major cereal crops (maize, wheat, barley, rye and oats) are particularly susceptible to infection by Fusarium species. Moniliformin (MON) is a mycotoxin produced by Fusarium species, most often F. proliferatum, F. avenaceum and F. subglutinans. The occurrence of MON has been recorded worldwide, with the highest detected value of 530 mg/kg in maize intended for human consumption. Limited information on toxicity in experimental and farm animals indicates haematotoxicity and cardiotoxicity as the main damaging effects of MON on human health. Its stability and fate during processing has also been poorly studied, so the degree of consumer's exposure to MON is still uncertain. This review summarizes available information on the MON chemistry, toxicity, its worldwide occurrence in cereals, methods of analysis and the potential methods for its decontamination in food and feed.

The article presents a study about the effectiveness of adamantyl tenocyclidine derivative Tamorf (1-[2-2(2-thienyl)-2-adamantyl morpholine]) in treating rats poisoned with soman which causes toxic effects in the central nervous system. The study found that Tamorf was more effective than carbamate physostigmine in the elimination of soman-induced poisoning. It discovered that the antidotal mechanism of Tamorf is based on combined biomechanical and receptor properties.

The development of landscape-ecological approach application in spatial planning provides exact theoretical and empirical evidence for monitoring ecological consequences of natural and/or anthropogenic factors, particularly changes in spatial structures caused by them. Landscape pattern which feature diverse landscape values is the holder of the unique landscape character at different spatial levels and represents a perceptual domain for its users. Using the landscape metrics, the parameters of landscape composition and configuration are mathematical algorithms that quantify the specific spatial characteristics used for interpretation of landscape features and processes (physical and ecological aspect), as well as forms (visual aspect) and the meaning (cognitive aspect) of the landscape. Landscape metrics has been applied mostly in the ecological and biodiversity assessments as well as in the determination of the level of structural change of landscape, but more and more applied in the assessment of the visual character of the landscape. Based on a review of relevant literature, the aim of this work is to show the main trends of landscape metrics within the aspect of ecological and visual assessments. The research methodology is based on the analysis, classification and systematization of the research studies published from 2000 to 2016, where the landscape metrics is applied: (1) the analysis of landscape pattern and its changes, (2) the analysis of biodiversity and habitat function and (3) a visual landscape assessment. By selecting representative metric parameters for the landscape composition and configuration, for each category is formed the basis for further landscape metrics research and application for the integrated ecological and visual assessment of the landscape values. Contemporary conceptualization of the landscape is seen holistically, and the future research should be directed towards the development of integrated landscape assessment as a guideline for spatial development planning.

Soil is an important natural resource whose proper use requires a good knowledge of all endogenous and exogenous factors that cause different types of degradation. Erosion is one of the forms of soil degradation. Erosion processes are characterized by a distinctive complexity and the factors affecting them are dynamics and change in space and time. A complex system degradation requires a multidisciplinary approach to the use of modern methods and techniques. Today, a large number of models are available for the assessment of soil loss through erosion as well as the levels of risk from erosion, today. Most of these are based on the logics of GIS thanks to its ability to sublimate heterogeneous information. In this paper, the analysis of spatial and temporal degradation of natural resources is carried out in the Likodra River watershed. The Likodra River is located in the northwestern part of the Republic of Serbia, and is positioned in the municipality of Krupanj. The main stream in the immediate vicinity of the town of Krupanj formed from four small streams that have expressed torrential character (the Bogoštica with the Kržava and the Čađavica with the Brštica). In May 2014, the urban area and rural parts of the municipality Krupanj were affected by catastrophic flash floods that resulted in the loss of human lives and enormous material damage. Soil degradation in the study area was analyzed using the Erosion Potential Method (EPM). The method is characterized by a high degree of reliability for determining the intensity of erosion, calculation of sediment yield and transport. The advantage of this method compared to other methods its lower complexity in terms of quantity of input parameters, simplicity and the possibility of application in GIS. In addition, the method has the advantage of choice, because it was developed in this area. The method is based on the analytical processing of data on factors affecting erosion. As the erosion spatial phenomenon appears on the map according to the classification on the basis of the calculated analytical erosion coefficient (Z), which depends on the characteristics of the soil, vegetation cover, relief and visible degree of erosion. By applying the Erosion Potential Method (EPM) an erosion map has been developed, showing the spatial distribution of erosion processes in the catchment area of the Likodra River watershed. The erosion map provides an insight into the state of erosion processes of different intensity and character. For the study basin, all its visible manifestations are manifested in the medium coefficient of erosion Zsr = 0.204. The current state of erosion was analyzed in comparison with the situation in the original 1983 erosion map of FR Serbia.

The interpretation of the concept of cultural landscape, as well as the interpretation of the general concept of landscape, depends on the context in which the process takes place. As an antithesis to natural landscape, and as notion of spatial and temporal interaction of man and nature, the cultural landscape is conceptualized in terms of scientific approach. The experiences prove that the traditional dichotomy in defining the landscape value (natural vs. cultural), as well as the aspect of its protection, evolving into a holistic approach, which is promoted in European Landscape Convention, at the beginning of XXI century. In the modern theory and practice of spatial planning and nature protection, the concept of cultural landscape appears as a holistic, multidimensional and multifunctional entity, which, in times of globalization, should be preserved and developed in accordance with its regional and local identity (character). The question is: what kind of methodological approach should be applied in determining the landscape value in the spatial planning and nature conservation? The aim of the research is to explain the evolution of landscape approach form reductionism to holistic problem-oriented transdisciplinary research that allows appropriate evaluation of the cultural landscape potential and its application in the spatial planning concept. At the same time, the aim is to explain the conceptualization of the cultural landscape in terms of the institutional protection of natural and cultural heritage and spatial planning in Serbia. The purpose of this paper is to point to legal instruments of the Spatial Plan of the Republic of Serbia which defining the obligations of determining the landscape character in the planning concept in spatial and urban plans, as well as the re-evaluation of existing values of cultural landscapes. The subject of the paper is theoretical concept of cultural landscape and the character of the cultural landscape Tršić-Tronoša. The value of the landscape character is interpreted and metrically expressed for the purposes of the Study of protection of the landscape of exceptional features Tršić-Tronoša - cultural landscape. At the end, the finding of the presented research confirming the applicability of the methods of landscape characterization in the spatial planning concept.

Investigates the toxic effects of mycotoxins in humans. Identification of the mycotoxin-producing fungi; Nutritional status of individuals exposed to mycotoxins; Use of certain moulds in the production of cheese and salami.

Availability and accessibility to clean water for industrial applications such as hydrotesting and hydrostatic testing of pipelines, vessels, and plumbing distribution systems has been a challenging task especially when the job sites are in remote locations. When contaminated water is used in these tests, corrosion of the metallic components of the systems, during and after testing become a major concern. Vapor-phase corrosion inhibitors (VCI), can be added to water in small concentrations to prevent corrosion during testing, during wet storage and after testing. These inhibitors are to prevent corrosion of metallic components in three phases, within the solution, at the water line, and above the water line. Three commercially available corrosion inhibitors were evaluated in this investigation. Laboratory studies are presented in this paper, showed the effectiveness of VCI products in both fresh and salt water applications. Average corrosion rate dropped from ~10 mpy for salt solution to less than 1-1.6 mpy when various inhibitors was added. The effectiveness of these inhibitors is remarkable in the fresh water (less than 0.4 mpy). Exposure of the steel samples to these inhibitors did not show any loss in mechanical properties. Both strength and ductility of the low carbon steel samples was maintained.

Very often, outputs provided by GIS functions and analysis are assumed as exact results. However, they are influenced by certain uncertainty which may affect the decisions based on those results. It is very complex and almost impossible to calculate that uncertainty using classical mathematical models because of very complex algorithms that are used in GIS analyses. In this paper we discuss an alternative method, i.e. the use of stochastic Monte Carlo simulations to estimate the uncertainty of flow accumulation. The case study area included the broader area of the Municipality of Čačak, where Monte Carlo stochastic simulations were applied in order to create one hundred possible outputs of flow accumulation. A statistical analysis was performed on the basis of these versions, and the "most likely" version of flow accumulation in association with its confidence bounds (standard deviation) was created. Further, this paper describes the most important phases in the process of estimating uncertainty, such as variogram modelling and chooses the right number of simulations. Finally, it makes suggestions on how to effectively use and discuss the results and their practical significance.

Urbanized areas constantly need new surfaces for building of commercial, residental or infrastructure facilities. Belgrade, the capital of Serbia and a big regional center, with 2,000,000 inhabitants, covers a territory of 3,500 km2. Decreasing of surfaces under forest vegetation, urbanization and inadequate agricultural measures have caused intensive erosion and more frequent torrential floods. Belgrade authorities have defined a new strategy for land use and urban planning in order to decrease the risk from destructive erosion processes and torrential floods and help the establishment of new recreational areas, preservation of biodiversity and mitigation of the „heat island“ effect. The strategy is based on the restoration of „blue-green“ corridors (residuals of open streams and fragments of forest vegetation). The restoration of „blue-green“ corridors is presented at the experimental watersheds of the Kaljavi and Jelezovac streams. The restoration works will be performed in the 2014-2020 period, on the basis of erosion and stream control demands, as well as environmental and social requests, including biological, soil-bioengineering activities and certain administrative measures. The forest surfaces will be increased by 1.38 km2 (18.11% of the total area). The restoration of “blue-green” corridors in the experimental watersheds will decrease the values of maximal discharges (p = 1%) by about 50%, and the volumes of direct runoff by about 40%. Erosive material production and transport will be decreased by about 44% in the Kaljavi stream watershed, and 37% in the Jelezovac stream watershed. Ten kilometers of sealed walking and cycling paths, 1.7 km of unsealed forest paths, six open gyms and seven rest areas will strengthen the potential of this area for sports and recreation. The restoration will help the protection and controlled usage of the natural and cultural values in the area, and the connection of „blue-green“ corridors at different spatial levels. The final goal is the creation of a network of “blue-green” corridors in the territory of Belgrade city, which provides both effective erosion and stream control and environmental and social services.

Serbia’s hilly-mountainous regions are extremely vulnerable to flooding as a consequence of their natural characteristics and human impacts. Land mismanagement influences the development of erosion processes, and causes soil degradation that significantly reduces the land’s capacity to infiltrate and retain rainwater. Inappropriate land use as well as development activities replace permeable with impervious surfaces in the watershed. This leads to more rapid runoff generation and the more frequent appearance of torrential floods and bed-load deposits on downstream sections. Environmental degradation creates economicsocial problems within local societies which is often followed by depopulation. Restoring watersheds to their optimal hydrologic state would reduce flood discharge and by increasing groundwater recharge would increase both low-flow and average discharges in springs and streams. Best management practices could be developed through the application of specific combinations of biotechnical, technical and administrative measures, and by using the concept of ″natural reservoirs″. The design of such practices is explored through a case study of the watershed of the river Jelašnica, southeastern Serbia. Realization of these planned restoration works should help decrease the annual yields of erosive material by 44.1% and the specific annual transport of sediment through hydrographic network by 43.6%. Representative value of the coefficient of erosion will be reduced from Z=0.555 to Z=0.379. The value of maximal discharge Qmax-AMCIII (1%)=54.17 m3•s-1, before restoration, is decreased to Qmax-AMCIII (1%)=41.22 m3•s-1 after restoration, indicating the improvement of hydrological conditions, as a direct consequence of land use changes. Administrative measures are applied through ″Plans for announcement of erosive regions and protection from torrential floods in the territory of Leskovac municipality″.

Torrential floods represent the most frequent phenomenon within the category of “natural risks” in Serbia. The representative examples are the torrential floods on the experimental watersheds of the rivers Manastirica (June 1996) and Kamišna (May 2007). Hystorical maximal discharges (Qmaxh) were reconstructed by use of ″hydraulics flood traces″ method. Computations of maximal discharges (Qmaxc), under hydrological conditions after the restoration of the watersheds, were performed by use of a synthetic unit hydrograph theory and Soil Conservation Service methodology. Area sediment yields and intensity of erosion processes were estimated on the basis of the “Erosion Potential Method”. The actual state of erosion processes is represented by the coefficients of erosion Z=0.475 (Manastirica) and Z=0.470 (Kamišna). Restoration works have been planned with a view to decreasing yields of erosive material, increasing water infiltration capacity and reducing flood runoff. The planned state of erosion processes is represented by the coefficients of erosion Z=0.343 (Manastirica) and Z=0.385 (Kamišna). The effects of hydrological changes were estimated by the comparison of historical maximal discharges and computed maximal discharges (under the conditions after the planned restoration). The realisation of restoration works will help decrease annual yields of erosive material from Wа=24357 m3 to Wа=16198.0 m3 (Manastirica) and from Wа=19974 m3 to Wа=14434 m3 (Kamišna). The values of historical maximal discharges (QmaxhMan=154.9 m3•s-1; QmaxhKam=76.3 m3•s-1) were significantly decreased after the restoration (QmaxcMan=84.5 m3 •s-1; QmaxcKam=43.7 m3•s-1), indicating the improvement of hydrological conditions, as a direct consequence of erosion and torrent control works. Integrated management involves biotechnical works on the watershed, technical works on the hydrographic network within a precisely defined administrative and spatial framework in order to achieve maximum security for people and their property and to meet other requirements such as: environmental protection, sustainable soil usage, drinking water supply, rural development, biodiversity sustaining, etc. The lowest and the most effective level is attained through PAERs (Plans for announcement of erosive regions) and PPTFs (Plans for protection from torrential floods), with HZs (Hazard zones) and TAs (Threatened areas) mapping on the basis of spatial analysis of important factors in torrential floods formation. Solutions defined through PAERs and PPTFs must be integrated into Spatial Plans at local and regional levels.

The environmental impacts in Serbian ski areas are very strong, leading to landscape degradation and functionality losses. Construction or improvement works cause serious destruction of topsoil and native vegetation. Some activities enhance erosion production and sediment yield: clear cuttings; trunk transport down the slope; road construction and large excavations. Also, lack of erosion control works in ski areas, especially between April and October, result in various forms of land degradation such as furrows, gullies, landslides, or debris from rock weathering. The consequences of mismanagement in ski areas are noticeable in downstream sections of river beds, causing floods and bed-load deposition. Planning and designing activities, with the application of technical and biotechnical erosion control structures, through the concept of restoration, are necessary measures in the protection of ski areas.

The environmental impacts in Serbian ski resorts (Kopaonik, Zlatibor, Stara planina, Divčibare) are very strong, leading to degradation of unique mountain landscape, and functionality losses. Processes of urbanization, construction or improvement works, cause hard degradation of topsoil and native vegetation. The logging, large excavation activities, erosion, noise and water pollution constantly impact the habitats of all animal and plant species residing in small areas. The process leads to severe fragmentation of the remaining old-growth forests, endangering future subsistence. Consequences of mismanagement in ski areas are noticeable in downstream sections of river beds, causing floods and bed-load deposition, with high concentration of pollutants, in reservoirs for water supply. Legal nature-protection standards are weakly implemented in regional ski areas. Effective protection of landscape in Serbian ski-areas is based on careful considerations of impact assessment at all levels of planning (spatial and urban planning) and designing activities, which enables application of restoration concept, in accordance with general goals of environmental protection (preserving biodiversity, CO2 sequestration, attenuation of effects of global climate changes).

Torrential floods are the most frequent phenomenon in the arsenal of 'natural risks', in Serbia (droughts, avalanches, landslides, rockslides, hail, forest fires, storm wind and earthquakes). Regime of occurrence of floods was studied on the basis of investigations carried out on 128 control profiles, on all important river systems in Serbia, south from Sava and Danube. Frequency of event of maximal discharge Qmax, over determined threshold, defined as average maximal discharge Qmaxsr, was analyzed. The primary maximum of frequencies was noticed in the period May-June, and the secondary maximum of frequencies in the period February-March. The absolute maximal discharges Qmaxa registered on certain profiles follow the periods with the most expressed frequencies, but there are also significant exceptions. A few equations have been derived, which point out close relations between average maximal discharge Qmaxsr, magnitude of the catchment area A, average annual discharge Qsr and the absolute maximal discharge Qmaxa [Qmaxsr=f(A); Qmaxsr=f(Qsr); Qmaxsr=f(A, Qsr); Qmaxa=f(Qmaxsr)]. Historical cases of maximal discharges, reconstructed on the basis of 'hydraulics flood traces' are presented.

Background: The increasing quest for effective and safe antiaging skincare solutions has led to a surge in the exploration of natural compounds such as phenolic acids. Despite the proven efficacy of traditional antiaging ingredients like retinol, their associated side effects have necessitated the search for alternatives., Aims: This study aimed to assess the anti-wrinkle efficacy of a standardized phenolic acids polymer extract (PAPE) from propolis, employing both in vitro and clinical methodologies to explore its suitability as a novel antiaging skincare ingredient for sensitive and nonsensitive skin types., Patients/methods: The study comprised of evaluating PAPE effects on key skin health biomarkers in dermal fibroblasts and keratinocytes. A double-blind, randomized clinical trial involving female participants aged 30-70 years assessed the wrinkle-reducing effectiveness of face creams formulated with two concentrations of PAPE (1.5% and 3%) over a 28-day period., Results: In vitro studies indicated that PAPE could modulate inflammation and tissue remodeling biomarkers. The clinical trial demonstrated that applying PAPE-enriched cream resulted in significant wrinkle reduction, with 25% and 34% improvements for the 1.5% and 3% PAPE formulations, respectively. Subjective feedback from participants further validated the antiaging efficacy and overall satisfaction with the product., Conclusion: Incorporating PAPE offers a compelling antiaging solution, significantly reducing wrinkle depth with a favorable safety profile. The study substantiates PAPE's potential as an effective and safe alternative to conventional antiaging ingredients, aligning with the cosmetic industry's shift toward natural, evidence-based formulations., (© 2024 Apiotix Technologies. Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology published by Wiley Periodicals LLC.)

Introduction: Cytomegaloviruses (CMVs) extensively reorganize the membrane system of the cell and establish a new structure as large as the cell nucleus called the assembly compartment (AC). Our previous studies on murine CMV (MCMV)-infected fibroblasts indicated that the inner part of the AC contains rearranged early endosomes, recycling endosomes, endosomal recycling compartments and trans-Golgi membrane structures that are extensively tubulated, including the expansion and retention of tubular Rab10 elements. An essential process that initiates Rab10-associated tubulation is cargo sorting and retrieval mediated by SNX27, Retromer, and ESCPE-1 (endosomal SNX-BAR sorting complex for promoting exit 1) complexes., Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate the role of SNX27:Retromer:ESCPE-1 complexes in the biogenesis of pre-AC in MCMV-infected cells and subsequently their role in secondary envelopment and release of infectious virions., Results: Here we show that SNX27:Retromer:ESCPE1-mediated tubulation is essential for the establishment of a Rab10-decorated subset of membranes within the pre-AC, a function that requires an intact F3 subdomain of the SNX27 FERM domain. Suppression of SNX27-mediated functions resulted in an almost tenfold decrease in the release of infectious virions. However, these effects cannot be directly linked to the contribution of SNX27:Retromer:ESCPE-1-dependent tubulation to the secondary envelopment, as suppression of these components, including the F3-FERM domain, led to a decrease in MCMV protein expression and inhibited the progression of the replication cycle., Conclusion: This study demonstrates a novel and important function of membrane tubulation within the pre-AC associated with the control of viral protein expression., Competing Interests: The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest. The author(s) declared that they were an editorial board member of Frontiers, at the time of submission. This had no impact on the peer review process and the final decision., (Copyright © 2024 Štimac, Marcelić, Radić, Viduka, Blagojević Zagorac, Lukanović Jurić, Rožmanić, Messerle, Brizić, Lučin and Mahmutefendić Lučin.)

This review examines the 15-year presence of mycotoxins in food from Serbia and Croatia to provide a comprehensive overview of trends. Encompassing the timeframe from 2009 to 2023, this study integrates data from both countries and investigates climate change patterns. The results from Serbia focus primarily on maize and milk and show a strong dependence of contamination on weather conditions. However, there is limited data on mycotoxins in cereals other than maize, as well as in other food categories. Conversely, Croatia has a broader spectrum of studies, with significant attention given to milk and maize, along with more research on other cereals, meat, and meat products compared to Serbia. Over the investigated 15-year period, both Serbia and Croatia have experienced notable shifts in climate, including fluctuations in temperature, precipitation, and humidity levels. These changes have significantly influenced agriculture, consequently affecting the occurrence of mycotoxins in various food products. The results summarized in this 15-year review indicate the urgent need for further research and action to address mycotoxins contamination in Serbian and Croatian food supply chains. This urgency is further emphasized by the changing climatic conditions and their potential to exacerbate public health and food safety risks associated with mycotoxins.

This study presents data on the occurrence of aflatoxins B1, B2, G1 and G2 in maize and aflatoxin M1 (AFM1) in milk and dairy products from Serbia in 2022. A total of 100 maize samples were analysed using liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry, while 107 cow and goat milk, besides dairy products were tested with an ELISA method. Aflatoxins contaminated 78% of the maize samples, with aflatoxin B1 as the most prevalent aflatoxin, also at the highest determined level. All milk samples tested positive for AFM1, while contamination in dairy products ranged from 14% to 100%. The hot and dry weather during the 2022 maize growing season, characterised by moderate to extreme drought conditions, significantly increased maize contamination with aflatoxins, impacting subsequent milk and dairy products contamination. The findings of this study confirm the continuous trend and persistent challenge in Serbia concerning the prevalence of aflatoxins in maize and milk, closely linked to climate change.

Propolis is a natural mixture of honeybee-released and plant-derived compounds produced by honeybees. Poplar propolis is rich in bioactive polyphenolic compounds, and due to its many health benefits, it is commonly used as a food supplement or functional food ingredient. However, it is the only honeybee product whose proteome hasn't been analyzed. Here, we report a first proteome analysis of poplar-type propolis, a challenging glue-type resinous sample for protein characterization. Raw propolis mixture was precipitated with cold acetone to obtain the protein fraction. Proteins were digested with trypsin, and generated peptides were analyzed on nano-ESI-qTOF SYNAPT G2-Si mass spectrometer (MS) by data-independent acquisition (DIA) and data-dependent acquisition (DDA). Identified peptides and inferred proteins suggest the presence of new bioactive molecules as components of propolis. The poplar-type propolis proteome is composed of a mixture of proteins from the Apis and Populus genera. This is the first-ever report of the proteome of any type of propolis., (© 2023. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Science+Business Media, LLC, part of Springer Nature.)

Moniliformin (MON) represents one of the most widespread emerging mycotoxins, whose presence in food and feed can potentially cause harmful effects on the health of both the public and animals. In order to investigate MON occurrence, a total of four hundred (n = 400) samples of unprocessed maize were sampled from different regions (Bačka, Banat, and Srem) of Serbia during a period of four years (2018-2021) and were analyzed using a validated liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) method. The influence of regional differences and variations from year to year in terms of weather conditions on the occurrence of MON was also assessed. The obtained validation parameters indicated that the LC-MS/MS method is applicable to the determination of MON in maize samples. It can be observed from the acquired findings that all samples were contaminated with MON, while concentration levels varied between the samples, especially from different sampling years. The maize samples showed the greatest levels of MON concentration during the dry and hot climatic conditions experienced in 2021. In maize samples harvested in the period 2018-2020, the MON concentration levels detected were about two to three times lower compared to the year 2021. Additionally, a comprehensive investigation into the correlation between weather conditions and the occurrence of MON in maize grown in Serbia was undertaken by reviewing the outcomes of research undertaken in the past decade.

During the last decade, scientists have given increasingly frequent warnings about global warming, linking it to mycotoxin-producing moulds in various geographical regions across the world. In the future, more pronounced climate change could alter host resilience and host-pathogen interaction and have a significant impact on the development of toxicogenic moulds and the production of their secondary metabolites, known as mycotoxins. The current climate attracts attention and calls for novel diagnostic tools and notions about the biological features of agricultural cultivars and toxicogenic moulds. Since European climate environments offer steadily rising opportunities for Aspergillus flavus growth, an increased risk of cereal contamination with highly toxic aflatoxins shall be witnessed in the future. On top of that, the profile (representation) of certain mycotoxigenic Fusarium species is changing ever more substantially, while the rise in frequency of Fusarium graminearum contamination, as a species which is able to produce several toxic mycotoxins, seen in northern and central Europe, is becoming a major concern. In the following paper, a high-quality approach to a preventative strategy is tailored to put a stop to the toxicogenic mould- and mycotoxin-induced contamination of foods and feeds in the foreseeable future.

Ongoing climate change may affect the susceptibility of plants to attacks by pathogenic, mostly mycotoxigenic fungi with a consequent increase in the presence of mycotoxins. Fusarium fungi represent one of the most important producers of mycotoxins, and are also important pathogens of agricultural crops. Therefore, the main aim of the study was to estimate the impact of weather parameters on the natural occurrence of Fusarium mycotoxins, such as deoxynivalenol (DON), fumonisins B 1 and B 2 (FUMs), zearalenone (ZEN), T-2, and HT-2 toxins (T-2/HT-2) in maize samples harvested from two neighboring countries, Serbia and Croatia, during a four-year production period (2018-2021). The frequency and contamination level of examined Fusarium mycotoxins varied by maize year of production and could be linked to weather conditions per investigated country. Among them, FUMs were found to be the most common contaminants (84-100%) of maize in both Serbia and Croatia. Additionally, a critical assessment of Fusarium mycotoxins occurrence in the last 10 years (2012-2021), for both Serbia and Croatia, was done. Results pointed out the highest contamination of maize from 2014, especially with DON and ZEN, in connection to extreme levels of precipitation observed in both Serbia and Croatia, whereas FUMs occurred with high prevalence from each of the ten investigated years.

Aflatoxins (AFs) represent the most important mycotoxin group, whose presence in food and feed poses significant global health and economic issues. The occurrence of AFs in maize is a burning problem worldwide, mainly attributed to droughts. In recent years, Serbia and Croatia faced climate changes followed by a warming trend. Therefore, the main aim of this study was to estimate the influence of weather on AFs occurrence in maize from Serbia and Croatia in the 2018-2021 period. The results indicate that hot and dry weather witnessed in the year 2021 resulted in the highest prevalence of AFs in maize samples in both Serbia (84%) and Croatia (40%). In maize harvested in 2018-2020, AFs occurred in less than, or around, 10% of Serbian and 20% of Croatian samples. In order to conduct a comprehensive study on the implications of climate change for the occurrence of AFs in maize grown in these two countries, the results of available studies performed in the last thirteen years were searched for and discussed.

Background: Autistic spectrum disorders (ASD) are neurodevelopmental disorders that most often have profound impact on a person itself, as well as on parents, caretakers, and family life in whole. Parents of a child with ASD often have higher levels of stress and psychological distress. Aim of this study was to examine the stress sources, its frequency and predictability in parents of children with ASD, in relation to the communication and language skills of their children., Subjects and Methods: The sample consisted of 80 participants who are parents of children with ASD. The study was conducted using a questionnaire made for this research. Three groups of variables were analyzed: parental stress; child's communication; and child's language variables. Statistical analysis was performed by SPSS and included basic statistical parameters and multiple regression analysis., Results: The most common sources of parental stress are caring for the child's future; difficulties of the child with speech, language and communication; difficulties of the child in establishing contact with peers and other persons; and inappropriate behavior of the child (anger, aggression, stereotypical behaviors…). Multiple regression analyses used to determine whether a child's communication and language skills were valid predictors of parental stress showed significance., Conclusions: ASD child's skills like showing gestures; looking, answering, and turning when called by name; making it known when he/she needs help or wants an object; answering simple 'Yes/No' questions; and establishing contact with peers, are valid predictors of some stress sources of the parents. Proper involvement in the development of a child's communication and language skills has numerous benefits, not only for the child, but also for the parental stress recognition and its potential frequency decrease.

Intracranial aneurysms have a prevalence of about 2% of the population. They are a common incidental finding of noninvasive neuroimaging methods, raising the question of the necessity of treatment of patients with an asymptomatic intracranial aneurysm. For long, the only treatment option was surgical clipping of aneurysm neck. In the last 25 years, endovascular techniques have been developed as an alternative solution for patients who are not eligible for neurosurgical procedures. Research has shown better results of embolization procedures with lower rates of complications, but a higher rate of recanalization is still a major drawback of endovascular coiling. There are no strict protocols and the treatment of choice for intracranial aneurysms should be agreed upon by both the physician and the patient. This review aims to provide an insight into the management of intracerebral aneurysms with emphasis on the decision making problems faced by clinicians.