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J.F. Arnold, European black pine, is a typical component of Mediterranean and sub-Mediterranean coniferous forests with highly fragmentary distribution. Western Mediterranean populations of this species have been studied genetically to date, while eastern populations from the central Balkans, which are larger and more abundant, are still genetically understudied. We analyzed seven populations of representing all infraspecific taxa recognized within the central Balkans (subspecies with varieties and ÄorÄeviÄ; and subspecies (Lamb.) Holmboe with varieties and (Endl.) Georgescu et Ionescu), with three chloroplast microsatellites (cpDNA SSRs) and one mitochondrial (mtDNA) locus. Although our molecular data failed to support circumscription of studied infraspecific taxa, we found that genetic patterns at both genomes are in accordance with those found previously in westward populations of this species, that is â exceptionally high levels of genetic diversity (â=â0.949) and low genetic differentiation (â=â0.024) at the cpDNA level, and moderate levels of genetic diversity (â=â0.357) and genetic differentiation (â=â0.358) at the mtDNA level. Based on genealogical relations of mtDNA types currently present in Balkansâ and Iberian/African populations, we inferred that the ancestral gene pool of already harbored polymorphism at position 328 prior to the divergence to two lineages currently present in westward and eastward parts of the species range distribution. Subsequent occurrence of three mutations, which distinguish these two lineages, suggests their long-term isolation.Pinus nigraP. nigranigranigragocensis pallasianapallasianabanaticaHTGSTHTGSTP. nigra

This study aims to evaluate the black bullhead Ameiurus melas, an invasive alien fish (IAF) in Serbia, as a bioindicator organism and assess the safety of natural and aquaculture specimens for human consumption. A set of biomarkers was analysed to assess the bioindicator potential at a site exposed to agricultural activities. The genotoxic response was determined by an alkaline comet assay and micronucleus assay in fish erythrocytes, and the metal pollution index (MPI) was calculated to assess the toxic element burden on fish. Water quality was evaluated using physicochemical parameters and faecal indicator bacteria, while sediment was analysed for the presence of pesticides. The concentration of metals and metalloids in fish muscle was monitored to assess the safety for human consumption, and the corresponding indices (MAC, THQ, HI) were calculated. All biomarker responses were linked by the integrated biomarker response (IBR). Water analyses indicated the absence of communal wastewater, while sediment analysis revealed the presence of paclobutrazol, bifenthrin, and cyfluthrin. The IBR showed that June and September had the highest stress indices, coinciding with peak pesticide use and precipitation. All indices confirmed the safety of black bullhead for human consumption. This study highlighted the uses of nature-based solutions to the problem of IAF. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The European Union permitted 6 antimicrobial agents that can be used in laying hens. These are colistin, tyrosine, neomycin, oxytetracycline, chlortetracycline, and erythromycin. Antimicrobial drugs are used today primarily for the prevention and treatment of diseases in poultry and often (not in the EU) to stimulate growth. Because these drugs are often used irrationally, there are good chances that their residues will be found not only in poultry meat but also in the eggs within a certain period after the termination of treatment. In addition to the administration of authorised VMPs, the residues in eggs can be the result of erroneously applied medicated food, the contamination of the food with some antimicrobial drug in the mixing unit, as well as “extra-label” use of drugs in poultry. The antimicrobial agents are distributed in the body and deposited in the eggs, mainly in the yolk where they persist longer than in the albumen. Drugs that are poorly absorbed from the gastrointestinal tract (aminoglycosides, aminocyclitols, polymyxins) cannot be detected in the eggs, while the residues of some antimicrobial drugs can be detected for up to two months (chloramphenicol) after the last treatment. The rational use of drugs in veterinary medicine has manifold significance. When using drugs only when they are really necessary (indicated), in the right dose and route of administration, the potential damage can be reduced and efficiency increased, while the risk of microorganism resistance development would be significantly decreased. All of this becomes more important when these drugs are used in food animals.

Background. Urinary capillariosis in dogs is caused by Capillaria plica (syn. Pearsonema plica), a ubiquitous parasitic nematode resembling a string which belongs to the family Capillariidae. It parasitizes the feline, canine and musteline urinary bladder, and has been found in ureters and renal pelvises as well. C. plica has an indirect life cycle, with earthworms (Lumbricina) as intermediate hosts and domestic and wild animals (dog, cat, fox and wolf) as primary hosts. Infection of primary hosts occurs via ingestion of earthworms that contain infective first stadium (L1) larvae. An alternative path of infection for primary hosts is assumed to be ingestion of soil contaminated by infectious larvae derived from decomposed earthworms. Infection is mostly asymptomatic, but the clinical picture presents with pollakiuria, dysuria, haematuria, polydipsia, incontinence and/or fever. Scope and Approach. The aim of this review is to highlight the importance of urinary capillariosis in dogs. Since the health care of wild and domestic carnivores is extremely important, this review provides information about the morphology, biology and epizootiology of the C. plica nematode. Due to the importance of this disease for clinicians and increased disease prevalence during the last decade in many countries, this review presents the latest information on the pathogenesis, clinical signs, diagnosis, treatment and prevention of this infection. Key Findings and Conclusions. Capillariosis is usually accidentally diagnosed due to the nonspecific clinical signs and there is no treatment of choice. Practitioners should consider latent urinary capillariosis infection as a possible cause while examining for urinary tract diseases.

Among the many techniques for obtaining heat and electricity, solar thermal collectors, photovoltaic (PV) technology and PV/thermal (PV/T) technology have a very important place. The PV/T collectors enable the simultaneous conversion of solar radiation into thermal and electrical energy in a single device, with better space utilization and cost efficiency during construction. Specially designed PV/T collectors can replace the outer walls or roof covers and can be widely used in private houses, flat complexes, hospitals, schools, tourist and other objects for water heating and electrical energy generation. Due to their great application potential, hybrid collectors have been the subject of very intensive scientific research and technical development for many years. In this review article, the focus is on the research, development and application of the PV/T water systems in the last 10 years. The main task of researchers and manufacturers is to increase the efficiency of PV modules and thermal absorbers, using new materials and design types as well as their proper integration into the PV/T collector. It is also necessary to reduce the cost of these systems and make them more competitive in the market. In addition, the importance of PV/T systems is in providing energy in clean and environmentally friendly ways.

In response to the global rise in antibiotic resistance and the prevalence of bacterial biofilm-related infections, the antibacterial efficacy of methanolic, ethanolic, and aqueous extracts of 18 Lamiaceae plants from Serbia was evaluated. The total coumarins and triterpenes were detected spectrophotometrically, while a microdilution assay measured their effects on bacterial growth. Additionally, the impact of these extracts was assessed on Pseudomonas aeruginosa PAO1 adhesion and invasion in human fibroblasts and biofilm formation and degradation. The alcoholic extracts had the highest phytochemical content, with Teucrium montanum and Lavandula angustifolia being the richest in coumarins and triterpenes, respectively. Gram-positive bacteria, particularly Bacillus subtilis, were more susceptible to the extracts. Hyssopus officinalis ethanolic and Sideritis scardica methanolic extracts inhibited bacterial growth the most efficiently. Although the extracts did not inhibit bacterial adhesion, most ethanolic extracts significantly reduced bacterial invasion. Origanum vulgare and H. officinalis ethanolic extracts significantly inhibited biofilm formation, while Teucrium chamaedrys extract was the most active in biofilm degradation. This study significantly contributes to the literature by examining the antibacterial activity of Lamiaceae extracts, addressing major literature gaps, and underscoring their antibacterial potential, particularly Satureja montana and O. vulgare ethanolic extracts, linking their efficacy to coumarins and triterpenes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Urticaria is a disease of polyetiological origin characterized by skin manifestations (wheals, angioedema or both) and it is frequently seen in childhood. Based on its duration, urticaria can be classified into acute and chronic; and based on causative agents urticaria is divided to spontaneous and inducible. The etiological trigger factors of acute urticaria include infections, medications and food. Aim: Evaluation of etiological factors and clinical parameters of acute urticaria in childhood. Material and methods: We performed a retrospective analysis of medical documentation which included 65 patients with acute urticaria who were treated at the Pediatric Internal Diseases Clinic, Clinical Center Niš, during the period from January 2015 to December 2016. Results: In all subjects, regardless of age, infection was the most frequent factor (42.7%) that preceded the urticaria, while in 13.4% of children infection was associated with the use of medications. In children under 3 years of age, food was the most frequent trigger factor (23.5%), while in older children (above the age of 3) more frequent trigger factor which preceded the acute urticaria was the use of medication during the infection. Among the investigated patients, 63.1% of them had clinical manifestation of urticaria, 20% had angioedema, while 16.9% of patients had urticaria and angioedema at the same time. The evaluation of the laboratory parameters showed high incidence of neutrophilia (40.6%) and increased CRP values (32.5%). Conclusion: the most common trigger factors which caused acute urticaria in childhood were the upper respiratory tract infections. A high incidence of medications was detected in the group of children older than three years, while in children younger than 3 years, food was detected as the most frequent potential cause. Neutrophilia and increased CRP values were laboratory parameters associated with infections.

Metaldehyde is an active substance used for extermination of slugs and snail population. This paper presents the very first case of metaldehyde intentional poisoning of dogs in Serbia. Three-year-old and a six-year-old Swiss white shepard dogs were poisoned. The owner noticed frequent defecation, skeletal muscles spasms and impossibility to put any weight on their back extremities. The vomit of the younger dog was made of green-turquoise colored gut content. Twenty minutes after the onset of the first clinical symptoms dogs died. Macroscopic examination showed congestion of lungs, in the liver and intestines, as well as chemorage in the pancreas, bladder and intestines. Nonspecific pathological lesions were present in the lungs, heart, kidneys, liver, gut, intestines and brain. Pathohistological examination showed dystrophic changes and necrosis in kidneys, brain and intestines. According to anamnestic data, clinical signs, macroscopic and microscopic examination as well as characteristic smell of gut content, one could say that metaldehyde poisoning is the case. Toxicological analysis of gut content samples was performed by using gas chromatography with mass spectrophotometry (GC-MS). Used diagnostic methodology and gut content toxicology results obtained was the base for crime case according to article 269. Republic of Serbia Crime law.

Apart from approved or planned poisoning with agricultural purpose, an increase in the number of cases of intentional animal poisoning (primarily referring to cats and dogs) has been detected in Serbia, and it is suspected that their number is significantly larger than the one shown by the official statistics data. Under the conditions prescribed by the Criminal Code of the Republic of Serbia, such activities may represent the crime of killing and torture of animals, but also the crime of causing a general danger. It would be impossible to conduct the procedure of discovering and proving these criminal offences and the responsibility of their perpetrators without findings and opinion of forensic veterinary-medicine experts. They play an important role when it comes to site inspection, crime scene processing, collecting the samples from the crime scene, processing of samples and autopsy and exhumation of a potentially poisoned animal body. Just like other evidence in criminal procedure, findings and opinion of experts of veterinary medicine are estimated in accordance with the principle of free assessment of evidence. However, due to the specificity of such cases of killing and torture of animals, their impact on court’s decision on the existence of criminal offence and perpetrator’s liability is crucial. In this paper, the authors discuss the scope of animal poisoning in Serbia, particularly in Belgrade, analyze possible criminal - legal consequences of these illegal activities and point out to a significant role that experts of veterinary medical profession have in discovering and proving such cases and the liability of their perpetrators.

In living sistems synthesis of nitric oxide occurs during metabolism from Larginin, nitrite and ascorbate. Being very significant carrier of information within numerous both physiological and pathological proceses in mammals' organisms, nitric oxid could possibly be useful as well as harmful. Nitric oxide synthesis is adjuvant in a healthy organism because it represents the basic molecule for understanding numerous processes in neurology, psychology, immunology and varios related fields. In other words, nitric oxide participate in number of physiological processes, such as: transmission of nerve signals (neurotransmitter role), regulation of smooth muscle tissue relaxation (eg. vasodilatation), peristaltic movements, immunomodulation, mastocyte activation, development of inflammatory response, apoptosis regulation, angiogenesis and glucose metabolism, normal heart functioning and antioxidation role. Besides being useful, nitric oxide can be harmful as well, because it has one unpaired electron, so consequently it is susceptible to oxidation becoming a stable free radical. Being such, it reacts quickly with superoxide-anion radical, givind at first an extremely reactive peroxinitrite anion, and subsequently peroxidnitrite acid. This acid is very dangerous causing thiol groups oxidation, tyrosine and phenylalanine nitrosylation, lipid oxidation, DNK chain splitting, nitrification and nucleic bases deamination. These damages of macromolecules can cause a series of undesirable changes which subsequently distub functions of molecules, and thus of cells, tissues and even organs. [Projekat Ministarstva nauke Republike Srbije, br. 173034 i br. 31085]

There are frequent cases of poaching in which it is necessary to determine to which animal species the prey belonged on the basis of morphological characteristics of the bone. In this case, the Department of Forensic Medicine received material for giving an expert opinion on the left and right forearm (radius and ulna) and twelve pieces of the ribs. The ribs were completely broken, so in order to identify the bones as belonging to a particular animal species, only the radius and ulna were used. Forensic analysis was perfomed by comparing the osteological features of the delivered bones with those of museum specimens of deer and sheep bones. The forearm (ossa antebrachii) of the deer is slender and thin, and it is massive and heavier in sheep. There are two interosseus spaces (spatium interosseum antebrachii) of the forearm in the deer and only one in the sheep. The olecranon tuber (tuber olecrani) of the sheep is triangular in shape, and in deer it is divided into cranial and caudal prominences. The radial tuberosity (tuberositas radii) of the sheep is better defined. Based on morphological characteristics of the disputed bones we found that the submitted material originated from a doe.

Since the Criminal law of the Republic of Serbia in 2005 as well as the Law on veterinary medicine, there has been an increasing number of cases that deal with raising criminal charges due to animal killing or torturing. There is also a significant number of forensic cases that are aimed at discovering criminal acts. Animal abuse is a social issue, which includes a range of behaviors of humans that are harmful to animals, starting from unintentional neglect to intentional cruelty. Types of animal abuse are different and they can include physical, sexual, emotional abuse, or neglect. Abuse and neglect of animals have a variety of forms and manifestations, but the end result is always the same - animal suffering. The connection between animal abuse, domestic violence, and child abuse indicates that there is a significant role of veterinarians in social contexts and in terms of stopping this vicious cycle by preventing, discovering and turning in suspects involved in these crimes. The help that veterinarians provide to public prosecutors is of great importance. This study shows the role of veterinarians in cases of possible animal abuse, as well as their role in processing that type of cases.