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The aim of this study was to determine the enzymatic profile of esterases and peroxidases during early stages of somatic embryogenesis of Fritillaria meleagris L. Somatic embryogenesis was induced using the leaf base as explant on a medium supplemented with 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D). Zymography showed the presence of different moieties, six isoforms of esterases and peroxidases, during morphogenesis as compared to control explants. One isoform of esterases was detected only during the process of somatic embryogenesis, and one isoform was detected in control explants. Analysis of esterases with 1-naphthyl butyrate proved that esterases, which participate in somatic embryogenesis of F. meleagris, belong to the family of aryl esterases. For the first time it was proved that five isoforms of esterases, which are involved in morphogenesis of F. meleagris, belong to the family of aryl esterases, while two isoforms are carboxyl esterases. One isoform of carboxyl esterases was visible in control explants. This is also the first description of peroxidases during the morphogenetic process, and of the difference between aryl and carboxyl esterases. More isoforms of esterases during morphogenesis as compared to control explants are probably responsible for some early physiological process during somatic embryogenesis of F. meleagris. [Project of the Serbian Ministry of Education, Science and Technological Development, Grant no. ON173015 and Grant no. OI 172048]

Competitiveness is a generally accepted concept that emerges in all social and economic spheres, so understanding competitiveness in the sphere of tourism is also essential for destinations to attract a significantly larger number of tourists and increase tourism expenditure. The aim of the research in this paper is related to the verification of the applicability of the Integrated Competitiveness Model, which was created by Larry Dwyer & Lee Kim. In order to demonstrate the applicability of the Integrated Competitiveness Model using the example of Bosnia and Herzegovina, the paper established a clear methodological framework based on a questionnaire as the main research instrument, which was interpreted by applying a Likert scale, and the responses were analyzed using measures of descriptive statistics. The statistical processing of the collected responses indicates the successful applicability of the Integrated Model, according to which Bosnia and Herzegovina is a moderately competitive destination. A particular significance of the model is its precise suggestion of the multidimensionality and interdependence of competitiveness determinants, highlighting those that need improvement. The research, which utilized an innovative approach through a survey questionnaire, achieved representativeness through careful sample selection, encompassing not only tourists but also representatives of the tourism industry, resulting in original conclusions.

Over 20% of all protein domains are currently annotated as “domains of unknown function” or DUFs. In a recently identified Centaurium erythraea arabinogalactan peptide, CeAGP3 (AGN92423), a conserved DUF1070 domain was found. Since identifying functions for DUFs is important in systems biology, we have analyzed the distribution and structure of DUF1070 domain (pfam06376) using a set of bioinformatics tools. There are 271 publically available DUF1070 members from 25 diverse families of vascular plants, and most are short sequences (50-100 aa). The N-terminal signal peptide (Nsp) was found in almost all complete sequences. In 233 sequences, at least two noncontiguous prolines were found as clustered dipeptides predicted to be hydroxylated and glycosylated with type II arabino-3,6-galactans, thus representing AG-II glycomodules. In addition, 35 sequences contained a region rich in basic residues (basic linker, BL). The N-terminal part of the DUF1070 domain is comprised of (part of) AG-II and/or BL, while the highly conserved C-terminus is a region of 26 aa, termed SH26. In 212 sequences, SH26 was a typical glycosylphosphatidylinositol lipid anchor signal peptide (GPIsp), but in 83 cases GPIsp was not predicted due to software constraints. In sequences where both Nsp and GPIsp were predicted, the length of mature peptides could be calculated, and it was 10-16 aa. Our analysis suggests that DUF1070 members are arabinogalactan (AG) peptides, of which the majority are GPI-anchored. DUF1070 is the only conserved domain found in classical arabinogalactan proteins and AG peptides. The SH26 region can be used for mining and annotation of AG peptides. [Projekat Ministarstva nauke Republike Srbije, br. ТR31019]

Primary and secondary ammonium assimilation is catalyzed by the glutamine synthetase-glutamate synthase (GS-GOGAT) pathway in plants. The Arabidopsis genome contains five cytosolic GS1 genes (GLN1;1 - GLN1;5), one nuclear gene for chloroplastic GS2 isoform (GLN2), two Fd-GOGAT genes (GLU1 and GLU2) and a GLT1 gene coding for NADH-GOGAT. Even though the regulation of GS and GOGAT isoforms has been extensively studied in response to various environmental and metabolic cues in many plant species, little is known about the effects of phytohormones on their regulation. The objective of this study was to investigate the impact of representative plant growth regulators, kinetin (KIN), abscisic acid (ABA), gibberellic acid (GA3) and 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D), on the expression of A. thaliana GS and GOGAT genes. The obtained results indicate that GS and GOGAT genes are differentially regulated by growth regulators in shoots and roots. KIN and 2,4-D repressed GS and GOGAT expression in roots, with little effect on transcript levels in shoots. KIN affected all tested genes; 2,4-D was apparently more selective and less potent. ABA induced the expression of GLN1;1 and GLU2 in whole seedlings, while GA3 enhanced the expression of all tested genes in shoots, except GLU2. The observed expression patterns are discussed in relation to physiological roles of investigated plant growth regulators and N-assimilating enzymes. [Projekat Ministarstva nauke Republike Srbije, br. ON173024]

Svrha ovog rada jeste doprinos istraživanjima o privatizaciji rata, posebno ulozi koju su američke privatne vojne kompanije, naročito kompanija MPRI (Military Professional Resources Incorporated), imale u kreiranju bezbednosne arhitekture i geopolitičkog pejzaža na području biviše Jugoslavije. Na osnovu analize relevantne literature i dostupnih dokumenata, autori nastoje da daju odgovor na osnovno istraživačko pitanje – da li su privatne vojne kompanije iz Sjedinjenih Američkih Država (SAD) imale značajnu ulogu u ratovima na prostoru bivše Jugoslavije ili je njihova uloga bila više sporednog karaktera? U odgovoru na postavljeno pitanje autori polaze od hipoteze da je MPRIimala značajnu ulogu u ratovima na području bivše Jugoslavije, jer je kroz pružanje logističke podrške, naoružavanje i obuku hrvatskih oružanih snaga, uticala na završetak rata u Hrvatskoj praćen etničkim čišćenjem srpskog stanovništva, zatim i u Bosni i Hercegovini (BiH) kroz pomoć muslimanskim i hrvatskim snagama, ali i na destabilizaciju područja Kosova i Metohije (KiM) i Makedonije kroz obuku i finansiranje albanskih paravojnih i terorističkih formacija. Metodologija rada obuhvata pregled naučne i stručne literature, analizu iskaza pred međunarodnim sudskim telima, kao i izveštaja nevladinih organizacija i medijskih tekstova. Autori zaključuju da, iako se ne mogu utvrditi tačni dometi, uloga MPRI je bila značajna u ratovima na prostorima bivše Jugoslavije imajući u vidu ishode koji su se ostvarili uz njihovu pomoć.

The aim of this paper is to show how a monastic environment can be regarded as providing shelter for individuals with autism spectrum condition in the Middle Ages. By drawing on the recent literature in the history of medicine that traces the signs and symptoms of ASC in Hildegard of Bingen, a Benedictine abbess from the twelfth century, we will turn to her invented language Lingua Ignota as a source of justification for her diagnosis and as one manner in which she managed her neurodivergence. We invoke contemporary embodied and ecological approaches to cognition and its impairments in order to understand how the medieval monastic socio-material niche could have played a crucial role in the inclusion of individuals with ASC, and as providing a therapeutic environment.

Common centaury (Centaurium eryhtraea Rafn) is a medicinal plant species with vigorous morphogenic potential in vitro. The process of spontaneous shoot regeneration in a solid root culture is characteristic for this plant species. In this context, the aim of this work was to investigate the dynamic changes of endogenous phytohormones and carbohydrates content in root explants at different time points (0, 2, 4, 7, 14, 21, 28, and 60 days) during spontaneous centaury morphogenesis in vitro. Detailed analysis of cytokinins (CKs) showed that trans-zeatin (tZ) was the major bioactive CK at all time points. The corresponding riboside, tZ9R, was also determined in the majority of the identified transport forms, at all time-points. Further analysis of endogenous auxin revealed a significant increase in endogenous indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) after 21 days, when a huge jump in the ratio of IAA/bioactive CKs was also observed. The maximum total soluble sugar content was measured after 14 days, while a significant decrease was determined after 21 days, when the first regenerated adventitious shoots appeared. This undoubtedly indicates an increased energy requirement prior to the actual regeneration of the shoots. The obtained results indicate that the period from day 14 to day 21 involves the most dramatic disturbances in endogenous bioactive CKs, IAA and carbohydrate balance, which are very important and valuable factors for the onset of shoot regeneration.

Globalization trends have significantly influenced the role and importance of state power, though certainly not to the extent that one could argue globalization has rendered states obsolete or unnecessary. Many of today’s global challenges, such as terrorism, climate change, the migrant crisis, and others, are impossible to address within national frameworks, necessitating the cooperation of sovereign states as the ‘appropriate measure’ in responding to these and similar global issues. Starting from the fact that the components of state power persist even in an increasingly interactive and globalized world and that the past decades have witnessed attempts to balance state power among the often disproportionate member states of the European Union, this paper posits the hypothesis that the Western Balkan states lack the independent capacity to build institutions modeled after those of EU member states. Consequently, this region serves as a striking example of a neglected area with missed opportunities for clear integration into the EU. Furthermore, the paper analyzes, in light of knowledge on variability and development, identity and diversity, opposition and contradiction, the circumstances that have led to a series of missed opportunities for progress in this volatile region, as well as the internal problems within the Union that affect the Western Balkan countries on their European path.

The expression of transgenes in a host plant may be low for a number of reasons. Both low expression and poor specificity of amplification were encountered during analysis of the expression of the Arabidopsis cytokinin oxidase/dehydrogenase (AtCKX1) gene in transgenic Centaurium erythraea. The optimization of the PCR protocol involved a gradient of annealing temperatures, as well as the application of seven PCR enhancers: formamide, dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO), glycerol, ethylene glycol, trehalose, BSA and Tween-20. The best results for AtCKX1 amplification were obtained at 55.1ºC, with the addition of 5% DMSO. Glycerol and trehalose also improved the sensitivity of amplification, while formamide, ethylene glycol and BSA enhanced only the amplification of control purified targets, but not the transcripts. Tween-20 inhibited PCR. DMSO enhanced AtCKX1 PCR amplification and improved the specificity of qPCR amplification, as well as the assay reproducibility. This work emphasizes the usefulness of additives, which are rarely used for PCR optimization in real-time experiments.[Acknowledgments. The research presented here was funded by the Ministry of Education and Science of the Republic of Serbia (grants Nos. ON173015 and ON173024).]

The activities and isoenzyme profiles of superoxide dismutase (SOD) in in vitro Fritillaria meleagris bulbs in response to cold treatment (4°C) were investigated. Differences in SOD activity and isoenzyme profiles in bulbs under standard growth conditions, six weeks chilling, as well as seven days after the completion of cold treatment are presented. SOD activity initially decreased but then rapidly increased seven days after cold treatment. Four isoforms of SOD are active under standard and chilling conditions, while three isoforms are presented 7 days after cold treatment. Native gel electrophoresis indicated the presence of mitochondrial and chloroplast localized SODs. .

Introduction. Despite intensive research, efforts and clinical investigations on pathogenesis of acute pancreatitis (AP) and system morbidity during the illness onset, mortality is still very high in the group of severe forms. A significantly high number of patients show moderate, self-limited forms of illness, with a minimal degree of systemic or local complications, with full recovery. However, some of them have a severe form, followed by a high percent of morbidity and mortality, and system organ failure. The distinction between mild and severe forms of AP within 24-48 hours of hospital admission is very important for the treatment of these patients. The usage of multifactorial scoring systems holds a lot of promise, reaching reliability in the disease severity estimation of approximately 70-80%. Objective. The main purpose of this prospective study was to assess the correlation of the Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation II (APACHE II) and the Bernard Organ Failure Score (BOFS) scoring systems in estimation of disease severity and outcome prediction. Methods. Sixty patients with AP participated in the study, all of them scored with the APACHE II and BOFS scores. The results were used for integration of laboratory and clinical parameters. Results. In our study, we had a highly significant correlation between the APACHE II and BOFS scores from the disease onset until the end of treatment. There was a highly significant correlation between these two scores and the serum C-reactive protein concentration level. Conclusion. The concept of the BOFS score has more advantages than the APACHE II score in the patients with severe forms of AP with organ dysfunction.

A simple protocol has been developed for plant regeneration by somatic embryogenesis of Southern Adriatic iris (Iris pseudopallida Trinajstić), an endemic species of the Balkan Peninsula. Somatic embryogenesis was induced in zygotic embryo culture on media supplemented with 2,4-dichlorophenoxy acetic acid (2-10 mgL-1) as the sole plant growth regulator, where both embryogenic calli and somatic embryos were induced. Subsequent decrease of 2,4-D in the media promoted formation of somatic embryos. Developed somatic embryos germinated on medium without growth regulators. The regenerated plantlets had diploid chromosome number. Planted plantlets acclimatized very well under greenhouse and garden conditions.

Transformation of Impatiens hawkerii Bull. mediated by Agrobacterium rhizogenes strain A4M70GUS was studied. Hairy roots developed 10 days after inoculation were excised from the shoot explants and transferred onto Murashige and Skoog's (MS) basal medium lacking plant growth regulators. More than 20 hairy root clones were established and eight of them were further analyzed. Each clone differed significantly from the others in growth capacity and lateral branching. Clone C2 showed the highest biomass (20.6 g L-1) as well as the highest number of lateral roots (37 ± 2.2). The transgenic nature of the established hairy root clones was confirmed by GUS assay and PCR analysis. In conclusion, hairy roots were developed for the first time in I. hawkerii Bull., and transgenic hairy root clones showed a distinct morphological nature and growth patterns.

Effects of reduced nitrogen salt nutriton on the growth, lenticel hypertrophy and anthocyanin accumulation of carob (Ceratonia siliqua L.) shoot cultures were investigated in conditions of light and darkness. Growth of shoot cultures was not significantly affected until nitrogen salts were reduced to less than ¼ of full-strength MS (Murashige and Skoog, 1962) values. Cultures in darkness were less affected and their main shoots even increased in length. Appearance of hypertrophied lenticels in light decreased, while in darkness they were absent in all treatments. Reduced nitrogen salt nutrition strongly affected anthocyanin accumulation of shoots and leaves, which greatly increased in both light and darkness. .

Abstract Background Carrot is an important vegetable crop grown worldwide. The major economic problem in carrot cultivation is yellow disease caused by Bactericera trigonica, which induces biotic stress and has the greatest impact on crop productivity. Comprehensive studies on the mechanism of carrot defense response to biotic stress caused by B. trigonica infestation have yet to be conducted. Methods The changes in photosynthetic pigments, proline, TPC, H2O2 and MDA content, DPPH radical scavenging ability, and antioxidant enzyme activity of SOD, CAT, and POX in carrot leaves in response to insect sex (female and male), rapid response (during the first six hours), and long-term response to B. trigonica infestation were evaluated. Results The results of our study strongly suggest that B. trigonica infestation causes significant changes in primary and secondary metabolism and oxidative status of carrot leaves. Photosynthetic pigment content, TPC, and DPPH and CAT activities were significantly reduced in carrot leaves in response to insect infestation. On the other hand, proline, H2O2 content, and the activity of the antioxidant enzymes superoxide dismutase and peroxidase were increased in carrot leaves after B. trigonica infestation. The results indicate that B. trigonica attenuates and delays the oxidative stress responses of carrot, allowing long-term feeding without visible changes in the plant. Carrot responded to long-term B. trigonica infestation with an increase in SOD and POX activity, suggesting that these enzymes may play a key role in plant defense mechanisms. Conclusions This is the first comprehensive study strongly suggesting that B. trigonica infestation causes significant changes in primary and secondary metabolism and an attenuated ROS defense response in carrot leaves that enables long-term insect feeding. The information provides new insights into the mechanisms of carrot protection against B. trigonica infestation.

At the beginning, this paper firstly analyses the duality of borders, as a place of contact and a place of misunderstandings, tensions, and quite often, of open conflicts, and this is done from two points of view: social and security. The first one refers to social foundations of a border, widely accepted as mutual recognition of one's self and others, while the second dimension brings to the forefront the strong analogy between borders and walls. As the first aspect most often relates to wider social engagement, the second is closely tied to security element of border management, or the securing of the phenomenon and reacting to it using a range of repressive "tools". It is the second dimension of the observation of the problem that leads us to the world of contemporary walls in front of (and around) which different relations occur with pronounced (in)security. The focal issue of this paper is the extent to which the current walls are the factor of safety, and to what extent they generate instability. On the basis of the conducted research procedure, this paper concludes that walls reinforce the sovereignty claim of a state, but they cannot be an efficient security measure for the inhabitants of border areas and members of migrant population.

Background/Aim. Multidetector computed tomography pulmonary angiography (MCTPA) has emerged as the most suitable method for diagnosing acute pulmonary embolism (APE) in hemodynamically stable patients. In addition to its diagnostic role, MCTPA facilitates the measurement and calculation of certain parameters that can be used as prognostic markers for outcomes in APE. Since the introduction of the method, there have been a lot of studies that pointed out there may be a significant difference in the prognostic value of MCTPA for APE concerning sex. Methods. The study population consisted of consecutive patients with a diagnosis of APE confirmed by MCTPA. Positive MCTPA findings and a diagnosis of APE were established if the patient had at least one segmental artery thrombus. APE severity was estimated using the simplified Pulmonary Embolism Severity Index (sPESI). All-cause and APE-related intrahospital deaths were the coprimary outcomes of this study. Results. In total, 1,612 patients were enrolled in the study (750 men and 862 women). Women with a centrally positioned pulmonary thrombus detected on MCTPA were more likely to die from PE-related death than those without one (10.4% vs. 4.2%, respectively; p = 0.016). Women with a right ventricle (RV) and left ventricle (LV) diameter ratio (RV/LV) > 1 died almost twice as often as those with a ratio ≤ 1 (15.5% vs. 8.6%, respectively; p = 0.017). Women with an RV/LV > 1 detected with MCTPA were significantly more likely to die from PE than those with a ratio ≤ 1 (11% vs. 5.2%, respectively; p = 0.017). Women who died from PE-related causes had a significantly higher value of the embolic burden score system (EBSS) than did the surviving women (18.00 vs. 11.00, respectively; p = 0.025). Independently of age, sPESI, and renal function, the presence of a central thrombus [odds ratio (OR) 2.278, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.050–4.944, p = 0.037] and the RV/LV ratio > 1 (OR 2.015, 95% CI: 1.042–3.893, p = 0.037) were associated with intrahospital PE-related death in women. Conclusion. In women, MCTPA parameters, a centrally placed thrombus, the RV/LV ratio, and the EBSS had prognostic significance for PE-related mortality. The RV/LV ratio had prognostic significance for all-cause intrahospital mortality. In men, the MCTPA parameters had no prognostic significance for both overall and PE-related mortality.

After a decade-long duration of robust migratory movements towards Europe, it can be asserted that the response, in the form of a continuous disposition against migration, is primarily rooted in the perceived cultural threat. Immigrants are viewed as unassimilable, and their cultures as incompatible with Western norms and ideals. Advocacy for the preservation of Western values and culture thus becomes a tool for the exclusion and segregation of immigrants. Conservative political currents (which are increasingly gaining traction in European elections) generally argue that Europe could not withstand such an influx. More liberal politicians, however, contend that the Old Continent is sufficiently wealthy to absorb uninvited newcomers, citing Turkey's ability to host over three million Syrian refugees and spend an average of three thousand dollars per capita on each, suggesting that the EU could afford several hundred thousand asylum seekers. It is a fact that not all impoverished individuals worldwide can solve their problems by relocating to Europe; however, it is equally factual that a more comprehensive and effective strategy aimed at globally reducing the gap between the rich and the poor might begin to address this issue better than all fences and barriers combined. The Western Balkans region mirrors European trends where the issue of irregular migration occupies a prominent position on the security agenda. Through the regional lens, a duality of problems becomes apparent, with varying degrees of equivalence concerning the broader European context. Regarding migration as a general security challenge, the salience is heightened in areas relating to the overall increase in insecurity, particularly in border areas, resulting in pronounced activities of smuggling groups, conflicts among them, and prevailing unease among the local population. An illustration of regional instability stemming from the corpus of general security challenges is analyzed through the example of the Hungarian-Serbian border. In terms of security challenges eliciting excessive responses to migration, regional circumstances markedly differ from broader European ones, for at least two reasons. The first pertains to the fluidity of the area, where migrants are still not perceived as individuals who might "take away" jobs and social protection from the local population. The second reason lies within the domain of inherited regional instability, which continues to primarily focus on antagonistic reasons stemming from the corpus of ethno-confessional "insurmountable" differences among regional actors.

Experiencing rapid development and growth, cities worldwide face a surge in air pollution, primarily driven by the increased concentrations of the particulate matter (PM) originating from various anthropogenic sources, such as traffic, household fuel combustion, and industrial and construction activities. Urban green spaces can naturally filter PM through physicochemical processes, serving as effective urban planning instruments for the improvement of the air quality. Focusing on a street in Novi Sad, the second-largest city in Serbia, this study investigates the efficiency of vegetation in mitigating air pollution, specifically PM10 emissions from traffic and construction activities. Using the contemporary monitoring and modelling techniques for measuring and predicting PM10 concentrations, the focus of this research is to evaluate the efficacy of vegetation in affecting and minimizing detected PM concentrations. The results indicate a significant reduction in the monitored PM10 concentrations behind the green barrier compared to the modelled concentrations near the pollution source (on the road) for both traffic and construction-related emissions. The paper highlights the capacity of green elements to act as natural air pollution mitigators and suggests better integration of strategic environmental management into urban planning to foster the development of healthier and more sustainable cities, providing recommendations to facilitate this objective.

The risks climate change poses to cultural heritage have garnered increased attention in recent decades, prompting reactions from organizations such as UNESCO and ICOMOS. While there is a consensus among heritage actors that the climate crisis requires a departure from “business as usual”, there is no unanimity regarding which aspects of heritage protection should remain unchanged and which necessitate transformation, nor what level of action and transformation is required. Such disagreements may not always be immediately apparent, as different approaches are often mentioned within the same policy paper or call for action. They offer different interpretations of the climate crisis impacts, different framings of what is at stake, and different political visions regarding the necessary steps, thus creating tensions. This paper utilizes maximum variation sampling to identify and analyse groups of approaches through which climate change has been addressed within the cultural heritage field, ranging from technical protection to decolonisation. It highlights the significance of grasping their political and eco-social underpinnings, crucial for fostering transdisciplinary dialogues that draw upon the expertise of natural and social sciences, engineering and humanities to alleviate tensions, jointly shape future actions and develop sustainable solutions that respect and protect heritage while fostering regenerative socio-ecological relations.

Background/Aim. The COVID-19 pandemic had a significant impact on the healthcare system, particularly healthcare providers such as nurses/medical technicians, who were obliged to adhere to strict procedures and manage their time effectively during shifts. The aim of this study was to identify internal strengths, weaknesses, threats, and challenges in palliative care management during the C OVID-19 pandemic from the perspective of nurses/medical technicians. Methods. A cross-sectional study was conducted on a 100% sample of nurses/medical technicians working in hospital-based palliative care in two clinics in Belgrade (47 respondents in total). The research instrument was a Questionnaire on Employee Satisfaction. The survey was conducted during September and October 2022. Results. Assessing the job satisfaction of nurses/ medical technicians revealed moderate job satisfaction (3.43), which was mostly influenced by appropriate financial compensation and the implementation of measures to prevent and control the spread of the COVID-19 infection. The dimensions of management that were significantly related to respondents’ satisfaction were motivation and adequacy of hygienic conditions and measures to control COVID-19 (χ2 = 62.83, p = 0.004 and χ2 = 36.42, p = 0.006, respectively). Conclusion. Nurses/medical technicians who experience stress at work in regular conditions tend to react the same way in different conditions, such as those related to COVID-19 infection. The most difficult challenge that the management faces is the recognition of the importance of the work of nurses/medical technicians by the community. Therefore, it is vital to respect and support the most important professional values of nurses/medical technicians, such as valuable achievements, the importance of professional challenges, personal growth and development, and independence in practice.