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OBJECTIVES:To assess the effects of early management of hyperglycaemia with antidiabetic drugs plus lifestyle intervention compared with lifestyle alone, on microvascular function in adults with pre-diabetes. METHODS:Trial design: International, multicenter, randomised, partially double-blind, placebo-controlled, clinical trial. PARTICIPANTS:Males and females aged 45-74 years with IFG, IGT or IFG+IGT, recruited from primary care centres in Australia, Austria, Bulgaria, Greece, Kuwait, Poland, Serbia, Spain and Turkey. INTERVENTION:Participants were randomized to placebo; metformin 1.700 mg/day; linagliptin 5 mg/day or fixed-dose combination of linagliptin/metformin. All patients were enrolled in a lifestyle intervention program (diet and physical activity). Drug intervention will last 2 years. Primary Outcome: composite end-point of diabetic retinopathy estimated by the Early Treatment Diabetic Retinopathy Study Score, urinary albumin to creatinine ratio, and skin conductance in feet estimated by the sudomotor index. Secondary outcomes in a subsample include insulin sensitivity, beta-cell function, biomarkers of inflammation and fatty liver disease, quality of life, cognitive function, depressive symptoms and endothelial function. RESULTS:One thousand three hundred ninety one individuals with hyperglycaemia were assessed for eligibility, 424 excluded after screening, 967 allocated to placebo, metformin, linagliptin or to fixed-dose combination of metformin + linagliptin. A total of 809 people (91.1%) accepted and initiated the assigned treatment. Study sample after randomization was well balanced among the four groups. No statistical differences for the main risk factors analysed were observed between those accepting or rejecting treatment initiation. At baseline prevalence of diabetic retinopathy was 4.2%, severe neuropathy 5.3% and nephropathy 5.7%. CONCLUSIONS:ePREDICE is the first -randomized clinical trial with the aim to assess effects of different interventions (lifestyle and pharmacological) on microvascular function in people with pre-diabetes. The trial will provide novel data on lifestyle modification combined with glucose lowering drugs for the prevention of early microvascular complications and diabetes. REGISTRATION:- ClinicalTrials.Gov Identifier: NCT03222765 - EUDRACT Registry Number: 2013-000418-39.

This paper presents the results of integrated SWOT analysis and Multi-criteria Decision Analysis (MCDA) model, employed for defining the development of resort Stara Planina in Eastern Serbia and which was based on final report of previous expert study for this touristic destination. In accordance to defined SWOT factors and sub-factors six resulting strategies were generated as: SO strategies (based on the sub-factors of strengths and opportunities), WO strategy (based on the sub-factors of weaknesses and opportunities), ST strategies (based on the sub-factors of strengths and threats) and WT strategy (based on the sub-factors of weaknesses and threats). Relative importance weights of the SWOT factors and sub-factors were obtained by Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) model, as well as the ranking of identified strategies was performed by several experts. The results indicate that following sequence of strategies: SO1 → SO2 → ST1 → ST2 → WO1 → WT1, should be realized to complete the main goals for strategic development of the touristic destination Stara Planina.

The paper presents the results of empirical research on the effects of some criteria of the EFQM excellence model on satisfaction and loyalty of the employees in the banking sector in Serbia. All but one of the hypotheses in the defined model were proven by statistical evaluation of empirical results. The one which could not be proven is the hypothesis of a positive impact of the organization's relationship toward security and society on the business result, which makes specificity of transitional economic conditions in which the studied banking sector operates. Statistical analysis was performed using V.16 LISREL software package where statistical significances of the studied set were defined together with b and t values of the defined paths in the defined model. Researches have shown that criteria of EFQM excellence model can be used to develop and improve the functioning of the banking system in Serbia and develop the TQM practice.